Psychosocial Development: Autonomy

Psychosocial Development: Autonomy  AUTONOMOUS AUTO – self NOMOS – law self-governing – being self-regulated, self-directed  independence = autonomy?? Independence – capacity to behave on one’s own Autonomy – broader – deals with vario...

Psychosocial Development: Autonomy  AUTONOMOUS AUTO – self NOMOS – law self-governing – being self-regulated, self-directed  independence = autonomy?? Independence – capacity to behave on one’s own Autonomy – broader – deals with various areas of self-governing  3 Dimensions of Autonomy https://slideplayer.com/slide/10915982/ Emotional Behavioural Cognitive (value)  3 types… do not occur simultaneously do not occur in fixed order confusion paradoxical situations differing opinions/perceptions between youth & adults  Autonomy-related concerns frequently provoke arguments not necessarily rebellion not family rejection / disconnection Instead… https://www.rootsofaction.com/people-pleaser-parents/ the process of self-regulation has begun but boundaries are - not clear - not mutually agreed upon Autonomy in toddlerhood & adolescence autonomy vs. doubt/shame (Erikson) https://www.modernmom.com/56f8e006-3b45-11e3- -the ‘terrible twos’ 8407-bc764e04a41e.html -key in the development of a sense of self -recognize & assert self as individual with needs separate from parents -preparation for later development -i.e. adolescence! https://www.modernmom.com/56f8e006-3b45- 11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html  Emotional Autonomy changes in parent-child relationships – expression of emotion – distribution of power – types of verbal interaction https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/parental-guilt-is-a-cultural-epidemic-its-time-to-let-go-of- who-we-should-be/2019/08/20/889059ec-9750-11e9-916d-9c61607d8190_story.html Adolescents become less emotionally dependent on their parents detachment (psychoanalytic view) https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/what-its-like-to- break-up-with-your-narcissistic- parent_n_5a1f1d16e4b037b8ea1f3f0f -‘storm & stress’  strained family relationships -natural way to ‘force’ adolescent from family -implies a breaking off of relationships/connection to family  https://assets-global.website- files.com/6406ef65905f04ce2fddd963/640b00a029baf0de17aaa313_What-is- autonomy-and-why-it-matters-for-work-life-balance.webp instead….. emotional autonomy achieved through Individuation -long, gradual & undramatic process -gradually let go of parental dependency & adopt a more mature, responsible relationship with them -gradually take increasing responsibility for themselves -begin to turn to less dependent relationships (peers & others) -take steps to become a ‘separate individual’ https://scottjeffrey.com/individuation-process/  https://m.facebook.com/karenyoungheysigmund/photos/a.104012577939581/1537 96996294472/?type=3&source=48 not about severing parent-child relationships involves transforming (changing) the relationship  Transformation seen in 4 ways: 1. adolescents no longer immediately turn to parents for everything – begin to develop personal coping mechanisms = nondependency https://au.reachout.com/articles/self-help-for-depression https://depositphotos.com/96507342/stock-photo-young-man-crying-and- being.html  https://quotesgram.com/idealized-quotes/ 2. parents no longer considered experts in all areas deidealization of parents https://www.theeditorialcartoons.com/subject/The-Adolescent- Editorial-Cartoons.php 3. begin to exert considerable emotional energy in relationships outside the family (friends/partners) https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/ parenting/g32269018/fun-teen-activities/ https://obdurate.wordpress.com/2019/02/11/the-day- you-find-out-your-parent-is-a-person/ 4. begin to interact with parents as people not just as parental figures parents as people https://steemit.com/life/@jaynie/parents-are-people-too  Barriers to individuation/emotional autonomy https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/PUqCroLXpudmqoP5PY 5yCqFrjwg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000): strip_icc()/78482301-56a6f4483df78cf7729119e7.jpg Youth expect autonomy earlier than parents May be anxious without safety-net Parents misinterpret action/reactions – feel rejected, angry, frustrated, discounted – non-compliance seen as resistance, rebellion, self-absorption https://lac oncierge psycholo gist.com/ blog/survi ving- your- teens- individuat ion- process/ Parenting style & emotional autonomy Authoritative = promotes independence Authoritarian = autonomy-suppressing  ‘follower’ – helicopter/lawn-mower/snowplow controlling, smothering Indifferent/permissive = ‘pseudo-independence’ – over-reliance on peers  Maladaptive (‘toxic’) parenting exhibited in patterns of: controlling behaviours abusive behaviours self-centred behaviours lack of boundaries manipulative behaviours https://toxicties.com/boundaries-toxic-parent/ React to disruption in family equilibrium by increasing chaos  Maladaptive parenting behaviours Ongoing patterns of: treating older adolescent as a child requiring parental approval for all decisions using guilt as pressure to follow parental direction creating fear/chaos to deter disagreement manipulating through threat of withdrawal – love/affection/financial help/ place to live https://www.healthline.com/health/parentin g/toxic-parents https://www. https://w butterflybegi ww.style nningscoun craze.co seling.com/ m/article 2021/12/20/ s/mothe what-is- r-son- toxic- relations parenting/ hip/  Behavioural Autonomy seek out & weigh the advice of others & use this information to make decisions https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/6-ways-to-help-your-teen-make-keep-great-friends-0701164 https://www.verywellmind.com/initial-steps-in-helping-your-depressed-teen-2609493  An individual who is behaviourally autonomous https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F% 2Fneuroleadership.com%2Fyour-brain-at- work%2Fleverage-synergy-and-autonomy-to-build-a- better- workplace&psig=AOvVaw0DDCe4pNb4i0861AUZ1xV H&ust=1698950148084000&source=images&cd=vfe& opi=89978449&ved=0CAUQjB1qFwoTCJDz8dG4o4ID Does NOT: FQAAAAAdAAAAABAY make fully independent decisions Does: turn to others for advice when appropriate weigh different solutions or courses of action (using others’ AND own judgements), AND THEN reaches an independent decision about how to act or behave.  The ‘myth of maturity’ Myth – mature people function on their own Fact – maturity (autonomy) is NOT about acting ALONE adolescents benefit from emotional & practical guidance BUT the myth tells youth to avoid seeking assistance and parents to ‘back off’ completely Need a BALANCE of seeking input and personal reasoning 3 Domains of Behavioural Autonomy 1. changes in decision-making ability 2. changes in susceptibility to the influence of others (i.e. peers) 3. changes in feelings of self-reliance  1. Changes in decision-making abilities older adolescents are more likely to: be aware of the possible risks of different decision outcomes consider the future consequences of alternative courses of action turn to independent specialists as consultants  Older adolescents are more likely to: https://fcscortland.org/parental+influence+on+teens realize when advice givers have ‘vested interests’ be cautious about accepting advice from people who may be biased https://jenelledge.mykajabi.com/blog/teaching-teens-about-peer-pressure  Decision-making improvement due to changes in cognitive development -develop the ‘cognitive tools’  2 improvements in self-regulation as adolescents get older 1. decisions LESS influence by rewards – by late adolescence risks & rewards more equally balanced 2. better at controlling their impulses  Self-regulation/control early adolescence – heightened reward sensitivity + immature impulse control = risky, dangerous, poorly considered decisions late adolescence – reasoning about rewards and impulse control have matured = more planful & deliberate decisions/actions  2. Susceptibility to influences of others (i.e. peers) EARLY adolescence 4 Ways Social Media Is Making You Dumber especially susceptible to the advice/influence of peers ( + or -) reasons for increased susceptibility: their orientation toward the peer group has increased as autonomy from parents increases, initially react by becoming more dependent on peers peers provide the ‘bridge’ to autonomy  Susceptibility to peer pressure greatest in the EARLY teen years declines in LATE adolescence and youth  https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887 324520904578551462766909232 What causes change in susceptibility to peer pressure? teens may follow each other because their brains derive more pleasure from social acceptance than adult brains being liked by other people is very gratifying reward centers more activated in adolescence - and activated by our peers  What causes change in susceptibility to peer pressure? emotion centres well developed early/mid but reasoning centre (frontal lobes) not yet ability to make decisions when emotional (under peer pressure) isn't at full strength https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324520904578551462766909232 in early teens  https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324520904578551462766909232 Positive peer pressure encourage positive social behaviors. – doing well in school & studying – excelling at sports / training – overcome a fear https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424 127887324520904578551462766909232 – trying a new and challenging activity https://www.ver ywellfamily.com /negative-and- positive-peer- pressure- differences- 2606643  3. feelings of self-reliance perceived autonomy -judgements about how autonomous adolescents think they are https://www.youthwhothrive.ca/message10_02intro. php subjective feelings of autonomy increase steadily throughout adolescence Identity and self-reliance  Cognitive Autonomy the development of independent beliefs, morals & values beliefs become more grounded in abstract principles & less tied to the dictates of authority -develop guiding principles rather than ‘doing what they are told’ or ‘following established rules’ Capable of principled reasoning (can think in abstract and idealistic ways) https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/column/Decision-making- more-important-than-ever-573457901.html Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Reasoning  Heinz dilemma In Europe, a woman was near death from a serious disease, a special kind of cancer. A druggist in the woman’s town had recently developed a new drug that the doctors said was her only hope. The drug was expensive to make, but the druggists was charging ten times its cost -- $2,ooo for small doses. The sick woman’s husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow money, but he could only raise about $1,000.00. He told the druggist that his wife was dying, and asked him to sell the drug more cheaply or let him pay later. But the druggist refused. Desperate, Heinz broke into the store one night and stole some of the drug for his wife.  Kohlberg Actual decision IS LESS IMPORTANT than the REASONING behind it answer to the question WHY? determines level of moral reasoning.  3 stages: 1. Preconventional Moral Reasoning decisions based on whether the action will result in reward or punishment. external & tangible outcomes -this stage dominates childhood  3 stages 2. Conventional Moral Reasoning late childhood and early adolescence. focus on how they will be judged by others emphasis on roles, expectations, rules, conventions Look for approval and to maintain social order ‘rule-bound’ and conforming  3 stages 3. Postconventional Moral Reasoning (principled moral reasoning) emerges during adolescence (12+) Rules seen as relative and subjective  Postconventional -conventions can be questioned when more important principles take precedence -based on personal conscience -potential -not routinely used  Kohlberg and Adolescence Ability to think hypothetically leads to increased interest in ideological / philosophical issues – more sophisticated 5 ways thinking changes allows exploration of different – value systems – ideologies – personal ethics and belief systems  Onset of idealism Leads to re-evaluation of right and wrong rejection of rules that seem arbitrary independent decisions apart from social approval  Timing understanding is possible mid-late adolescence commitment not until adulthood Adolescents use all 3 levels – often make decisions at level of very young child conventional level most commonly used  How to foster moral development in adolescents 1. parents > moral reasoning from families where: -teens encouraged to participate in family discussions -reasonable disagreement is allowed -parents model higher levels of reasoning http://familyfocus.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/10/Building-Parent- Teen-Relationships_Web-Article- 1300x850.jpg https://contentpathway.s3.amazonaws.com/pa rent-teen-relationship-lg.jpg  How to foster moral development in adolescents 2. attendance at college/university – plateau in reasoning level after completion of formal education Why does formal ed. make a difference? http://www.uopoly.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/laurier.jpg http://dgrantconstruction.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/wilfrid-laurier-research- academic-centre-east-01.jpg  How to foster moral development 3. peers – youth adopt parental values in areas where parent is expert – adopt peer values in areas where peers are expert (acceptance & status) https://vixstar1314.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/peers.gif Peer groups comprised of youth with similar values so rather than influencing the development of values they may reinforce ones that already exist  Inconsistencies…. https://cdn-images- 1.medium.com/max/1600/1*ZdF a-ske8aHGzFwCL4PorA.jpeg moral reasoning and values not always consistently shown in our behaviour Even thought adolescents may accept adult values VERBALLY (and cognitively), they often behave in accordance with their peers