ADOLESCENCE
FORMAL OPERATIONS
1. Formal operations: mental actions on
ideas
 2. Can think logically & systematically
about abstract & hypothetical objects,
events, & situations

Psy 311: Adolescence
ADOLESCENCE
FORMAL OPERATIONS (CONT)
3. Can contemplate possibilities rather
than realities
 4. Hypothetical-deductive reasoning:
generate all possible hypotheses &
systematically test predictions

Psy 311: Adolescence
DEVELOPMENT OF FORMAL
OPERATIONS
begins with reasoning about alternatives
 then reasoning about possibilities
 starts in areas of interest

Psy 311: Adolescence
Limitations in Adolescent Reasoning
Lack of practical experience
“Nothing bad can happen to me”
 Driving too fast
 Drinking
 Drugs
 Sex
 Vandalism
 Delinquency

Psy 311: Adolescence
Potential Implications of Formal
Operational Thought
Confusion because of new-found ability
to question.
 Rebellion because of ability to detect
inconsistencies & flaws in the world.
 Idealism because of the ability to
imagine perfectly logical solutions to
world problems that are difficult to
implement in our imperfect real world.

Psy 311: Adolescence
Other potential changes
Adolescent egocentrism, or trouble
distinguishing one’s own thoughts &
feelings from those of others
 Imaginery audience, or confusing one’s
own thoughts with those of a
hypothesized audience for your
behavior

Psy 311: Adolescence
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS

IDENTITY
 about
Who am I?
What do I think?
values
 about priorities
 about religion
 about politics
 about our society
 about relationships
 about work
Psy 311: Adolescence
Identity Formation

GOAL
– Authentic and genuine
– Fit with social relationships and society
– Satisfied
Psy 311: Adolescence
DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS of
IDENTITY FORMATION

1. Crisis
– Confusion
– Search

2. Commitment
– This is the real me, This is what I really
think
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation
During Adolescence

1. Cognitive development
Formal operational thought
– Can imagine & consider possible future
identities
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation
During Adolescence (Cont)

2. Relationships with parents
– Warm, supportive
– Coercive, domineering
– Permissive
– Neglectful
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation
During Adolescence (Cont)

3. Social experiences outside the home
– Exposure to diverse ideas & people
– Encouragement to think independently
Psy 311: Adolescence
Influences on Identity Formation
During Adolescence (cont.)

4. Broader social & historical context
– Culture affects its development
• For example, whether or not developing a
separate identity is even valued.
Psy 311: Adolescence
PARENTS & ADOLESCENTS

1. Adolescents depend on their parents
– Myth: Adolescents are totally independent

2. Adolescents listen to their parents
– Myth: Adolescents listen only to their peers

3. Adolescents love their parents
– Myth: All adolescents rebel
Psy 311: Adolescence
Advice to Parents of Adolescents

Yes, you will have disagreements
– About home responsibilities and
schoolwork
– With girls more than boys
– Girls: about emotional issues
– Boys: about practical issues
Psy 311: Adolescence
WORK
Decisions about occupations
Psy 311: Adolescence
WORK
Decisions about occupations

VOCATIONAL CHOICE: An effort to find
an optimal fit between one’s selfconcept or personality & occupational
opportunities.
– Questioning
– Exploring
– Experiencing
– A wide range of possibilities
Psy 311: Adolescence
Process of vocational choice
1. FANTASY STAGE
 Wishes & whims
 Status
 Fun
Psy 311: Adolescence
Process of vocational choice
2. TENTATIVE STAGE
 Interests
 Capacities
 Values
Psy 311: Adolescence
Process of vocational choice
3. REALISTIC STAGE
a. Realities of job market
Disadvantaged youth
 Minority youth
 Women

Psy 311: Adolescence
Process of vocational choice
3. Realistic Stage
b. Requirements of occupational
qualification
Educational attainment
 Skills
 Credentials

Psy 311: Adolescence
Age-ism: Age Discrimination
on the Job
1. Stereotypes: old, inflexible,
unproductive
 2. Discrimination: passed over for
promotions, not hired, make less money
 3. Research: as or more productive,
innovative; more reliable, miss less work,
stick with company longer

Psy 311: Adolescence
LAST NAME, first name
1. What is the big advance in formal
operational thinking?
 2. What is the big limitation in formal
operational thinking?
 3. What is the developmental task in
identity formation?
 4. What are the steps to vocational
decision making?

Psy 311: Adolescence
END
Psy 311: Adolescence
Advice to Parents of Adolescents
1. Help them become responsible and
trustworthy before adolescence.
 2. Do not treat them like children.
 3. Let them have as much responsibility
as they can handle.

Psy 311: Adolescence
Advice to Parents of Adolescents
(cont.)
4. Say what you think and also listen to
what they think.
 5. Stand firm on rules.

Psy 311: Adolescence