Psy 103 - Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

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I think that the way the adolescents act today is a major example how the environment can affect the social, moral, and personality developments in adolescents. With social media alone, kids are exhibiting hyper sexual behavior and making bad choices.

Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

According to Erikson’s theory Identity vs. Confusion is in the adolescence phase. During this phase they focus on exploring independence, develop a sense of self, personal exploration must be encouraged, success will result in a strong sense of self and feeling of independence and control and failure with result in unsure beliefs and desire and insecure/confused feelings in the future. I feel that this theory of the phase has some substance to it, because adolescents always explore their independence. But I think now everything is influenced on social interactions. And I think failed social interactions would make a child feel insecure or confused. One theory that I found to be very interesting’s the Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development and Stages of Moral Development. Kohlberg used storytelling and asked questions to determine morals. I would say that this is a good idea to present kids with dilemmas and listen to what they have to say about certain situations.

Adolescents is one of the hardest parts of development because they are almost into adulthood, and the things that are learned during this period can stick with them throughout adulthood. There are several theories out there that suggest environmental factors and heredity factors, but I feel all of these things play a crucial role in our development. People are always in debate about nature vs. nurture. But I believe we get some of both. The environment around us and the way we are raised can equally be a factor in adolescent development.

References

Banerjee, I., & Clayton, P. (2007). The Genetic Basis for the Timing of Human Puberty. Journal Of Neuroendocrinology, 19(11), 831-838. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2826.2007.01598.x

McLeod, . (2010). Formal Operational Stage. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/formal-operational.html

Puberty: Changes for Females. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/puberty/girlschanges.html

Puberty: Changes for Males. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/puberty/physicalchanges.html