Adolescent Behavior and Identity Development

Adolescent Behavior and Adjustment

• Most teenagers globally are well-adjusted with no significant behavioral or emotional issues noted across various countries.

Social Influence and Groups

• Negative influence can stem from social reference groups, evident when adolescents conform to peer expectations, as seen with Julie's change in behavior due to her friends.

Identity Development

• Erikson identifies "Who am I?" as the central question of adolescence, highlighting the importance of self-identity during this stage.

Identity Status

• Marcia's identity status theory classifies Paula's situation as foreclosure, where she limits her options by conforming to familial expectations of traditional roles.

Parental Involvement

• Mothers generally have a more pronounced knowledge of their teen's activities and exert stronger influence over the quality of parent-child relationships.

Substance Detection

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, can be detected in the brain from several days up to several weeks after consumption.

Delinquency Trends

• Delinquency rates are statistically higher in poor, urban areas, indicating socioeconomic factors in adolescent behavioral issues.

Sexual Assault Statistics

• Approximately 50% of college men report being forced into sexual activities, while 20-25% of college women have faced attempted or completed rape.

Depression Predictors

• Low self-esteem is identified as the strongest predictor of depression among adolescents, emphasizing the importance of self-worth in mental health.

Resilience

• Jim's journey from a challenging childhood marked by adversity to a well-adjusted and productive adulthood illustrates the concept of resilience in personality development.