Developmental Psychology

Achieve Test Prep: Developmental Psychology

adolescents attempt to separate from their parents to determine the person they want to become. If adolescents successfully combine their multiple roles, they will achieve a coherent sense of identity. James Marcia developed four identity statuses: 1. Identity Achievement a. Individual knows he is unique b. Includes sexual, moral, political, and vocational identity 2. Foreclosure a. Premature identity formation b. Individual accepts parental values and goals without consideration to options 3. Identity Diffusion a. Uncertainty and confusion regarding identity b. Leads to apathetic behavior 4. Moratorium a. Pause in identity formation b. Individual explores alternatives c. Example: the year before college, college years, temporary job Another interesting aspect of exploring identity is that of cultural identity. Many adolescents strive to explore their cultural or racial identities. Often this endeavor leads a bicultural identity or a blending of personal cultures. Being able to operate and thrive in multiple cultures is associated with higher self-esteem and confidence. Parenting and Peers: Parenting styles never cease to affect how a child matures and learns. Adolescents with authoritative parents tend to be more psychologically healthy and undergo positive psychosocial development. In this situation, the adolescent is allowed to be independent while being warmly supported by their parents. Adolescents of authoritative parents display fewer risky behaviors, which differs greatly in their peers who have permissive parents. Peers are an important source of information and influence for adolescents. In early adolescence, most friendships exist between same-gender individuals. As an individual moves through adolescence, they tend to make friend of the opposite gender. Friendships tend to fall into categories of crowd, clique, and individual.

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