DL - Social-Emotional Development: Adolescence and Adulthood Lesson

Learning Targets:

  • Identify the key social challenges and developmental tasks faced during adolescence.
  • Compare and contrast the roles and impacts of parental guidance versus peer influence throughout the adolescent years.
  • Outline the defining features and developmental milestones characteristic of emerging adulthood.
  • Discuss the major themes and influential factors that shape our social experiences from early adulthood through to the end of life.
  • Examine the diverse emotional responses and coping mechanisms associated with the loss of a loved one.

Courtesy of the AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2024. (n.d.). Links to an external site.

 

Social-Emotional Development in AdolescencePhotograph of Erik Erikson

According to Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development, adolescents must integrate various self-concepts to answer the fundamental question, "Who am I?" Each stage in Erikson's theory presents a psychosocial conflict that individuals must resolve positively to progress successfully. Relationships play a crucial role in resolving these conflicts, as adolescents aim to synthesize their past, present, and future to establish a clearer understanding of themselves. This period involves questioning one's individuality, aspirations, values, beliefs, and overall identity, which Erikson described as the adolescent quest for identity.

Forming an Identity

Adolescence is filled with social tasks and challenges that play a crucial role in shaping one's identity. To refine their sense of identity, adolescents in individualistic cultures often experiment with different personas in various settings. They may act differently at home, with friends, online, and at school, aiming to consolidate these different selves into a cohesive self-definition that feels authentic and comfortable. Furthermore, group identities are frequently established based on differences in gender, sexual orientation, age, wealth, gender identity, abilities, and beliefs. For instance, individuals may identify themselves as part of a particular group due to their unique qualities or characteristics that set them apart from others.

In the teenage years, many people feel ups and downs, with self-esteem dropping and more girls feeling depressed. Social media can make these feelings worse by encouraging comparisons with others. This has led to more teenagers feeling depressed and even thinking about suicide. But as people move into their late teens and early twenties, they start to explore new opportunities like college or full-time jobs. This period of figuring out who they are as adolescents sets the stage for forming close relationships in young adulthood.

Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development

Learn more about Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development in the presentation below.

Understanding the Influence of Parents and Peers on Adolescents

During adolescence, individuals in Western culture often strive to establish their own identities, leading them to rely more on peer influence rather than their parents. This desire to fit in with peer groups is a common characteristic during this stage of life. For instance, children and teens may feel pressured to dress a certain way or act in a specific manner to be accepted by their peers, even if it goes against their preferences. This demonstrates how adolescents prioritize peer influence to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Parent-child conflicts are also prevalent during adolescence, with disagreements arising over trivial matters such as chores, bedtime, or schoolwork. Interestingly, these conflicts are more prominent between firstborn children and their parents than second-born children. Moreover, the disputes with mothers tend to be more intense than those with fathers. As adolescents strive for independence and autonomy, tensions with parents, especially mothers, can escalate as they navigate this developmental stage.

Adult Social Development

Understanding Emerging Adulthood in Various Cultures

Emerging adulthood is a significant developmental stage in transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. Culture plays a crucial role in determining when adulthood truly begins and when major life events, known as the "social clock," take place. In the Western world, adolescence typically corresponds to the teenage years, but at earlier times in other parts of the world, this period was much shorter. Historically, when education became compulsory in Western countries, independence was postponed until after graduation. As a result, young individuals now take more time to establish themselves as adults. Today's adolescents often delay traditional markers of adulthood, such as working for pay, driving, forming romantic relationships, and getting married. This postponement of independence, along with earlier sexual maturity, has expanded the once brief gap between biological maturity and social independence, leading to the identification of a new life stage known as emerging adulthood.

For example, in some Eastern cultures, emerging adulthood is marked by focusing on education and career development before starting a family. In contrast, in certain tribal societies, emerging adulthood may involve rites of passage and traditional ceremonies to signify the transition to adult responsibilities. These examples illustrate how emerging adulthood is perceived and experienced differently across various cultures, emphasizing the influence of cultural norms and values on this transitional phase of life.

Adult Relationships

When adults interact with one another, they often establish families or family-like relationships built on mutual support and care. These relationships can vary in nature, from romantic partnerships to friendships, and play a crucial role in shaping individuals' emotional well-being and overall quality of life. It is important to note that the attachment styles individuals develop in childhood can significantly impact how they form attachments to other adults later in life. Childhood attachment styles, such as secure, anxious, or avoidant attachment, can influence the way adults approach relationships, their ability to trust others, and their emotional responses within relationships. Understanding these dynamics can provide valuable insights into the complexities of adult relationships and highlight the interconnected nature of emotional development across the lifespan.

Reactions Triggered by the Death of a Loved One

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and unique experience for each individual. Contrary to the outdated belief that people go through grief in predictable stages, the reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all process. Each person may react differently to the death of a loved one, with emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief surfacing at various times. While some may find solace and healing through bereavement therapy, research suggests that it may not necessarily be more effective than allowing oneself to grieve and cope with the loss naturally. Remembering that life can still be celebrated even in the face of death is essential. According to Erik Erikson, those who possess a sense of integrity, feeling that their life has been meaningful, may be better equipped to find affirmation in life even amidst the pain of losing a loved one.

 

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