Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
Module 18
Adolescence & Adulthood
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PUBERTY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
• Girls during puberty
– Puberty sets off physical growth
• starts 9.6 years
• begins 6-12 months before breast
development
– Puberty triggers a physiological process: female
sexual maturity
– Menarche
• first menstrual period (ovulation may have
occurred)
• estrogen
• levels increase eightfold
• stimulates the development of both primary
and secondary sexual characteristics
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PUBERTY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
• Girls during puberty
– Female secondary sexual characteristics
• triggered by increase of estrogen secretion
• includes growth of pubic hair, development of
breasts, and widening of hips
• begins about 10.5 years
• continues for about 4 to 5 years
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PUBERTY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR (CONT.)
• Boys during puberty
– Triggers an increase in physical growth (height) age
13-14
– Male sexual maturity, includes growth of genital
organs
• begins around age 11 and continues for
approximately three years
• sperm production begins around the age 12-14
– Male secondary characteristics
• triggered by increased secretion of testosterone;
include growth of pubic hair, facial hair,
development of muscles, and a change
(deepening) in voice
• occur between 12 and 16
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES
• Definition
– refers to how a person perceives, thinks, and
gains an understanding of his or her world
through the interaction and influence of genetic
and learned factors
• Piaget’s Cognitive Stages: continued
– Stage 4: Formal Operations
• last of Piaget’s four cognitive stages
• extends from about age 12 through adulthood
• adolescents and adults develop the abilities to
think about abstract or hypothetical concepts
• consider an issue from another’s viewpoint,
and solve cognitive problems in a logical way
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Brain development: reason and emotion
– Prefrontal cortex: executive functions
• located near the front of the brain
– Vulnerability
• around age 11 and continuing into young adult
hood, the brain rewires and reorganizes
• especially vulnerable to traumatic adolescent
experiences such as: physically or sexually
abused, bullied, feeling lonely, rejected, or
depressed, and abusing drugs
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Brain development: reason and emotion
– Prefrontal cortex: executive functions
• risk-taking behavior
• explains the adolescent’s brain (not being fully
developed) allows for risky or irresponsible
behavior
• feel invulnerable and have no fear of accidents
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Brain development: reason and emotion
– Limbic system: emotional behaviors
• teenagers have less control over their
emotional and impulsive behaviors
• moody, emotional, and impulsive behaviors
• involved in a wide range of emotional
behaviors, such as:
• being ecstatic over getting a date
• feeling depressed when failing a test
• getting angry when being insulted
• increased structure and function of the limbic
system accounts for a teenager’s irritability as
well as increase in aggression in adolescent
males
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
– Three levels of moral reasoning
1. Self-Interest: Preconventional level
• lowest level of moral reasoning
• stage 1, moral decisions are based primarily
on fear of punishment or the need to be
obedient
• stage 2, moral reasoning is guided most by
satisfying one’s self-interest
• may involve bargaining
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
– Three levels of moral reasoning
2. Social approval: Conventional level
• represents an intermediate level of moral
reasoning
• stage 3, moral decisions are guided most by
conforming t the standards of others we value
• stage 4, moral reasoning is determined most
by conforming to laws and society
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning
– Three levels of moral reasoning
3. Abstract ideas: Postconventional level
• stage 5, moral decisions are made after
carefully thinking about all the alternatives and
striking a balance between human rights and
laws of society
• stage 6, has been omitted because few people
have reached it
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Parenting Styles and Effects
• Different styles of parenting
– Authoritarian parents
• attempt to shape, control, and evaluate the
behavior and attitudes of their children in
accordance with a set standard of conduct
• absolute standard that comes from religious or
respected authorities
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Parenting Styles and Effects
• Different styles of parenting
– Authoritative parents
• attempt to direct their children’s activities in a
rational and intelligent way
• supportive, loving, committed, encourage
verbal give and take, and discuss their rules
and policies with their children
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Parenting Styles and Effects
• Different styles of parenting
– Permissive parents
• less controlling and behave with a
nonpunishing and accepting attitude toward
their children’s impulses, desires, and actions
• consult with their children about policy
decisions, make few demands, and tend to use
reason rather than direct power
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
COGNITIVE & EMOTIONAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Beyond adolescence
– Changes in cognitive speed
• 20 to 40 cognitive skills remain relatively stable
• 40 to 80, general slowing of some cognitive
processes
• late 50’s slowing in processing speed
• late 50’s slowing in perceptual; speed
– Changes in memory
• 40’s and continuing into old age, most people
complain about not remembering things
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES
• Personality and social development
– refers to how a person develops a sense of self or
self-identity, develops relationships with others,
and develops the skills useful in social
interactions
• Personal identity or self-identity
– refers to how we describe ourselves and includes
our values, goals, traits, perceptions, interests,
and motivations
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Development of self-esteem
– Self-esteem
• how much we like ourselves and how much we
value our self-worth, importance, attractiveness,
and social competence
– High self-esteem-develop and maintain high levels
• 60% of adolescents develop and maintain a
strong sense of self-esteem through junior high
school
• do well in school, develop rewarding friendships,
participate in social activities, and are described
as cheerful, assertive, emotionally warm, and
unwilling to give up if frustrated
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Development of self-esteem
– Low self-esteem-develop and maintain low levels
• 15% of adolescents develop and maintain a
chronically low self-esteem through junior high
school
• have continuing personal and social problems
(shy, lonely, depressed), which have been
present for some time and contribute to low
self-esteem
– Reversals-reverse levels
• 25% of adolescents show dramatic reversals in
self-esteem, either from high to low or low to
high
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Development of self-esteem
– Forces shaping self-esteem
• girls
– are dependent upon the ability to relate
well to others
– are more likely to be the ones showing
declining or low self-esteem
• boys
– are dependent upon looking cool in public,
which means not letting stress or anxiety
make them look bad
– are more likely to show increasing or high
levels of self-esteem
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
– Stage 5: Identity versus role confusion
• adolescence (12-20)
• adolescents need to leave behind the carefree,
irresponsible, and impulsive behaviors of
childhood and develop the more purposeful,
planned, and responsible behaviors of
adulthood
• if successful, develop a healthy and confident
sense of identity
• if unsuccessful, experience role confusion,
• results in having low-self esteem and
becoming unstable or socially withdrawn
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
– Stage 6: Intimacy versus isolation
• young adulthood (20-40)
• young adulthood is a time for finding intimacy
by developing loving and meaningful
relationships
• can find intimacy in caring relationships
• negative side, without intimacy, we will have a
painful feeling of isolation, and our
relationships will be impersonal
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
– Stage 7: Generativity versus stagnation
• middle adulthood (40-65)
• time for helping the younger generation
develop worthwhile lives
• positive: achieve generativity through raising
our own children
• also by mentoring at work and helping others
• negative: lack of involvement leads to a feeling
of stagnation, of having done nothing for the
younger generation
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PERSONALITY & SOCIAL CHANGES (CONT.)
• Adulthood: Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
– Stage 8: Integrity versus despair
• late adulthood (65 and older)
• time for reflecting on and reviewing how we
met previous challenges and lived our lives
• positive side: if we can look back and feel
content about how we lived and what we
accomplished, we will have a feeling of
satisfaction or integrity
• negative side: if we reflect and see a series of
crises, problems, and bad experiences, we will
have a feeling of regret and despair
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
GENDER ROLES, LOVE & RELATIONSHIP
• Definition: Gender Roles
– Gender roles
• traditional or stereotypic behaviors, attitudes,
values, and personality traits that society says
are how males and females are to think and
behave
– U.S. gender roles
• female gender role includes being caring,
insecure, helpful, emotional, social, and shy
• male gender role includes being arrogant, selfconfident, aggressive, ambitious, not
emotional, and dominant
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
GENDER ROLES, LOVE & RELATIONSHIP (CONT.)
• Definition: Gender Roles
– Worldwide gender roles
• male gender roles include being ambitious,
dominant, and independent
• female gender roles include being submissive,
affectionate, and emotional
• differences in gender roles are clearly defined
because society (family, peers, bosses, and
colleagues) encourages and rewards
behaviors and thoughts that match expected
gender roles and discriminate against those
that do not fit
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
GENDER ROLES, LOVE & RELATIONSHIP (CONT.)
• Gender roles: development and function
– Evolutionary Psychology Theory
• emphasizes genetic and biological forces and
says that current gender differences are a
continuation of the behaviors that evolved from
early men and women who adapted these
different behaviors in their attempts to survive
the problems of their time
– Social Role Theory
• emphasizes social and cultural influences and
states that gender differences between males
and females arise from different divisions of
labor
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
GENDER ROLES, LOVE & RELATIONSHIP (CONT.)
• Kinds of love
– Passionate love
• involves continuously thinking about the loved
one and is accompanied by warm sexual
feelings and powerful emotional reactions
– Companionate love
• involves having trusting and tender feelings for
someone whose life is closely bound up with
one’s own
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
p419 THREE COMPONENTS LOVE
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
GENDER ROLES, LOVE & RELATIONSHIP (CONT.)
• Kinds of love
– Triangular theory of love
• Passion
– feeling physically aroused and attracted to
someone
• Intimacy
– feeling close and connected to someone
– develops through sharing and
communicating
• Commitment
– making a pledge to nourish the feelings of
love and to actively maintain the
relationship
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PHYSICAL CHANGES: AGING
• Kinds of aging
– Normal aging
• gradual and natural slowing of our physical
and psychological processes from middle
through late adulthood
– Pathological aging
• caused by genetic defects, physiological
problems, or diseases, such as Alzheimer’s
– Gerontology
• study of aging
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PHYSICAL CHANGES: AGING (CONT.)
• Sexual changes with aging: women
– physical symptoms
• hot flashes, some sleep disturbance, and
dryness of the vagina, which results from a
decrease and eventual stoppage in the
secretion of estrogen
– psychological symptoms
• moodiness, depression, anxiety, and anger
– sexual activities
• women who experienced sexual activity as
fulfilling and enriching before menopause will
likely continue to enjoy sexual activity after
menopause and into late adulthood
Introduction to Psychology, 7th Edition, Rod Plotnik
Module 18: Adolescence & Adulthood
PHYSICAL CHANGES: AGING (CONT.)
• Sexual changes with aging: men
– Sexual responding
• older men may require more time and
stimulation to have an erection
• healthy men usually have no difficulty in
becoming sexually aroused or reaching
orgasm
– Physiological problems
• Some men see their decreased sexual abilities
as a threat to their self-esteem