Module 52 REVIEW

• 52-1 What are the social tasks and challenges of adolescence?

• Erikson theorized that each life stage has its own psychosocial task, and that a chief task of adolescence is solidifying one’s sense of self—one’s identity. This often means “trying on” a number of different roles.
• Social identity is the part of the self-concept that comes from a person’s group memberships.
• Erikson believed that adolescent identity formation is followed in young adulthood by a developing capacity for intimacy.

• 52-2 How do parents and peers influence adolescents?

• During adolescence, parental influence diminishes and peer influence increases.
• Most adolescents adopt their peers’ ways of dressing, acting, and communicating.
• Parents have more influence in religion, politics, and college and career choices.

• 52-3 What is emerging adulthood?

• Due to earlier sexual maturity and later independence, the transition from adolescence to adulthood is taking longer than in the past.
• Emerging adulthood is the period from age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many young people are not yet fully independent. This stage is found mostly in today’s Western cultures.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. In many Western societies, it is common for adolescents to graduate from high school, go to college, and still live at home with their parents. They have not yet assumed full adult responsibilities and independence. Psychologists have identified this period of time as
   1. adulthood.
   2. early adulthood.
   3. emerging adulthood.
   4. late adolescence.
   5. role confusion.
2. Which is true of social relations during the teen years?
   1. As teens distance themselves from parents, peer relationships become more important.
   2. High school girls who have the poorest relationships with their mothers have the most intense friendships with peers.
   3. Parental influence peaks during mid to late adolescence.
   4. Most adolescents have serious disagreements with parents, leading to great social stress.
   5. Teens are generally more concerned with family relationships than peer relationships.
3. According to Erikson, the primary developmental task for adolescents is to develop a sense of
   1. trust.
   2. initiative.
   3. competence.
   4. identity.
   5. intimacy.
4. Compared with the late nineteenth century, what is true about the transition from childhood to adulthood in Western cultures today?
   1. It starts earlier and is completed earlier.
   2. It starts later and is completed later.
   3. It starts later and is completed earlier.
   4. It starts earlier and is completed later.
   5. It has not changed.
5. Megan, a third grader, is having trouble with math. She is starting to do poorly in other subjects, because she feels she cannot master math. Based on Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which stage is Megan in?
   1. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
   2. Initiative versus guilt
   3. Competence versus inferiority
   4. Identity versus role confusion
   5. Intimacy versus isolation

Practice FRQs

1. What is emerging adulthood? Describe two trends that have led researchers to consider this an additional stage of life.

Answer

1 point: Emerging adulthood is the period in modern Western cultures during the late teens to the mid-twenties that bridges the gap between adolescent dependence and adult independence. Page 542

2 points: Longer years of schooling, and later age of marriage and moving out of the family home, are the trends that have led to recognition of this new stage. Page 543

2. Describe Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development for each of the following:
   • Marek, age 1
   • Jessa, age 24
   • Pauline, age 50
   • Elsie, age 85

(4 points)