Adolescence
Cognitive Development
Conceptions of Adolescence

Biological perspective

Social perspective (Margaret Mead)
(G. Stanley Hall)
– Biologically-determined period of “storm-and-stress”
– Physical changes create psychological conflict
– Turmoil not typical: 2% increase in problems
– Cultural research suggest turmoil is socially determined
Both nature and nurture!
When does adolescence begin & end?

Puberty is the physical transition to adulthood
– Around 11 or 12 yrs
– Girls 2 yrs before boys

Industrialized nations:
–
–
–
–

Early: 11-14
Do you like being labeled
Middle: 14-18
as an adolescent?
Late: 18-21
Emerging adults: 21 to ??
Non-industrialized societies have shorter transition
to adulthood
Piaget’s Theory
Formal operational stage

(12+)
Hypothetico-deductive reasoning: develop
general theory & deduce specific hypotheses
– Task: pendulum problem
What influences the speed with which a pendulum swings?
Piaget’s Theory
Formal operational stage

(12+)
Hypothetico-deductive reasoning: develop
general theory & deduce specific hypotheses
– Task: pendulum problem
What influences the speed with which a pendulum swings?
Hypotheses
1. Length of string
2. Weight of object
3. Height of object
4. Force on object
School-aged
Adolescents
varychildren
one factor
unsystematic
do not
at
a time while&holding
notice
all possibilities
others
constant
Piaget’s Theory
Formal operational stage

(12+)
Propositional thought: assess logic of verbal
statements without real-world circumstances
– Task: Poker chip problem
Are the following statements true, false, or are you uncertain?
1. Either the chip behind the box is
green or it is not green.
Uncertain
True
2. The chip behind the box is green
and it is not green.
Uncertain
False
Piaget’s Theory
Formal operational stage

(12+)
Propositional thought: assess logic of verbal
statements without real-world circumstances
– Task: Poker chip problem
Are the following statements true, false, or are you uncertain?
1. Either the chip is green or it is not
green.
True
2. The chip is green and it is not
green.
False
True
Limitation of Theory
Are all people capable of formal operations?
 40-60% of college students fail tasks
What influences chances of solving tasks?

Experience with the subject matter
– Village & tribal societies less likely to master formal
operations
Piaget’s theory is not completely correct!
** Scientific Reasoning**
Consequences of Abstract Thought

Argumentativeness: use facts, ideas, & hypotheses
to build one’s “case”
– Can promote cognitive
development via scaffolding

Self-consciousness & self-focusing: reflect on own
thoughts, make & evaluate judgments
– Imaginary audience
– Personal fable
Why do adolescents say…

“It wont happen to me.”  Personal fable

“Everyone is looking at
me!”

“Mom, you don’t
understand.”

Imaginary audience

Personal fable
Consequences of Abstract Thought

Idealism & criticism: enables them to define own
values but also criticize others
– Sometimes go to the extreme

Planning & decision making: monitor own behavior
& evaluate options, but…
– Too many options are difficult to handle
– Poor or risky decision making can occur
** Gender differences & learning in school **
Video: Inside the Teenage Brain
What part of the brain is still developing in adolescence?
 What are the behavioral outcomes of brain development?
 Why do adolescence feel misunderstood?
 Describe adolescent sleep patterns and how it affect daily
life?
