14.7 Conclusion
In conclusion, the adolescent years are a crucial period of social and emotional development, marked by significant changes and challenges as young people transition from childhood to adulthood. During this time, adolescents experience a range of emotions and begin to develop their sense of self-identity. They form new relationships, experiment with new behaviors, and explore their place in the world. This chapter has highlighted the importance of understanding the social and emotional development of adolescents, as it has implications for their overall well-being and success in life. By recognizing the unique needs and challenges of this developmental stage, parents, educators, and other caring adults can better support and guide young people as they navigate this critical period of growth and change. Ultimately, by fostering positive social and emotional development, we can help adolescents thrive and reach their full potential.
Review of Learning Objectives
- Identify the stages of adolescent social, emotional, and moral development.
- Examine the complex nature of identity development in adolescence.
- Analyze the impact of caregivers, peers, and environmental influences on adolescent development.
Comprehension Check
Review of Key Terms
- Actual self: who someone perceives themselves to be currently
- Possible self: who someone perceives they can be potentially
- Ideal self: the person that someone wishes to be
- Feared self: the person that someone is afraid of becoming
- Cognitive distortions: patterns of inaccurate negative thinking, such as personalization, overgeneralization, and catastrophizing
- Self-concept: the perception of self, such as one’s traits, values, and beliefs
- Self-esteem: how much a person values themselves
- Deviant peer contagion: the process by which peers reinforce problem behavior by laughing or showing other signs of approval that then increase the likelihood of future problem behavior
Licenses and Attributions for Conclusion
“Conclusion” by Terese Jones is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
a process by which children gain understanding of themselves, their emotions, and the connections between themselves and others.
a process by which children process their understanding of right and wrong as related to their social and environmental contexts.
