Discussion:
Developmental theories and adolescence
Prior to adolescence, children at the end of their middle childhood usually feel confident about their abilities to control their bodies. They have mastered walking, running, skipping, and toilet training. As this confidence grows, pre-adolescents prior to experiencing growth spurts report feeling satisfied with their body images. Once puberty begins, many adolescents report feeling awkward and even betrayed by their bodies. Suddenly, new sensations and physical challenges are present as their bodies act and grow without warning.
Using your understanding of developmental theories, respond to the following questions.
1. During puberty, biological changes transform the adolescent body and mind. Using your understanding of Erikson's psychosocial development theory, predict some of the identity problems that adolescents might have as a result of these changes.
2. Using Piaget's cognitive development theory, explain the changes in adolescent thinking from middle childhood. How would this affect their problem solving strategies and predictions of consequences?
3. Invent some ways to use imaginary audience and personal fable as clinical or educational interventions. How can these two types of irrational beliefs be used to help change the adolescent's world perspective?