Erikson's Stages of Adulthood

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for long-term thinking and decision-making, is not fully developed until around age 25.

The tendency to value immediate rewards more highly than future rewards, even if the future reward is larger.

Drugs that alter brain function, affecting mood, perception, and behavior.

The part of the brain involved in emotions, motivation, and reward.

The part of the brain responsible for planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

Brain damage is more likely when drugs are used before the age of 15. Early experimentation can lead to addiction.

Variations in drug use patterns across different age groups, due to factors like legalization and changing trends.

Teenagers often exhibit a tendency to challenge authority and experiment with risky behaviors.

The fifth stage of Erikson's psychosocial development, where adolescents grapple with finding their own identity and purpose in the world. They explore different values, beliefs, and roles, and try to integrate them into a cohesive sense of self.

A state of uncertainty and confusion about one's identity, goals, and values. Adolescents lacking a strong sense of self may feel lost, directionless, and unsure about their place in the world.

Adolescents prematurely adopt their parents' or other authority figures' values and beliefs, without exploring other options or forming their own identity.

An active exploration of different roles, beliefs, and values to develop a unique identity. Individuals in this stage are actively experiencing and seeking out new experiences, but haven't yet made final commitments.

A state of having explored different possibilities and having made a commitment to a specific set of values, beliefs, and roles that form a cohesive sense of self.

Parents' knowledge and awareness of their child's whereabouts, activities, and companions. Effective parental monitoring can promote better adolescent outcomes.

A cultural emphasis on valuing family above individual success. In this context, adolescents may be expected to sacrifice their personal freedoms for family well-being.

Social influence from peers that can lead to adolescents adopting certain behaviors, values or belief system.

Substances like fumes from aerosols, glue, or cleaning fluids that are inhaled for their psychoactive effects.

A serious mental health condition characterized by feelings of deep sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. It can significantly disrupt daily life.

A failed suicide attempt. This is a serious sign indicating severe depression and risk for future attempts, seeking help is crucial.

The lack of fully developed thinking and decision-making abilities, often seen in adolescents.

How people perceive the potential dangers associated with drug use.

The ease with which someone can obtain a substance, like drugs.

Electronic devices that heat a liquid containing nicotine and other substances, producing a vapor that is inhaled.

Potential risks to human health associated with e-cigarette use, despite being less harmful than traditional cigarettes.

Different viewpoints on the benefits and risks of e-cigarettes, with some arguing for their potential benefits to smokers, while others emphasize the potential harm.

E-cigarettes produce benzene, a known carcinogen, which poses a significant health risk.

Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can be more addictive than heroin.

Some e-cigarettes contain THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, raising concerns about potential drug use and dependence.

While vaping may be less harmful than smoking, it's still not a safe alternative to quitting cigarettes altogether.

Developmentalists fear that e-cigarette use may lead to the use of other drugs in adolescents.

A new U.S. law bans the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to people under 21, reflecting concerns about underage vaping.

JUUL, a company that created sleek, user-friendly e-cigarettes, targeted teenagers with its marketing, leading to a surge in adolescent vaping.

There is an ongoing debate about the safety and risks of e-cigarettes, with public health officials issuing cautious advice and pediatricians expressing concerns about potential fetal and infant lung damage.

Using drugs before the brain is fully developed (around age 25) can cause lasting harm and increase the risk of addiction.

The brain's reward system is highly sensitive in adolescence, making teenagers more susceptible to the pleasurable effects of drugs, leading to increased drug abuse.

Drug use can create a clash between these brain areas: the limbic system (emotions) is stimulated, while the prefrontal cortex (decision-making) is impaired, leading to impulsive behavior.

The teenage brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex responsible for judgment and impulse control. This makes teenagers more vulnerable to the negative effects of drug use.

Drug use generally increases from age 10 to 25 and then decreases as people mature. Early use before age 15 is particularly risky due to heightened brain vulnerability.

Even legal drugs like alcohol and cigarettes, when used early in life, can increase the risk of addiction and long-term harm.

Early drug use can have serious consequences beyond addiction, including depression, abuse, and increased risk of bullying.