Module Outline

Module 12: Adolescence

Module 12 explains how humans change from before childhood to adulthood. Adolescence is defined and information on how it has changed in the past 100 years is given.

Physical development is described in detail, with emphasis on sexual development. Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory and Kohlberg’s theory of moral development are covered.

The module concludes with a discussion of social development, including developing identity, intimacy, and independence from family.

What is Adolescence?
	Adolescence
Physical Development in Adolescence
	Puberty
	Primary sex characteristics
	Ovaries
	Testes
	Secondary sex characteristics
	Menarche
	Nocturnal emission
	Sexual orientation
Cognitive Development in Adolescence
	Reasoning
	Jean Piaget
	Formal operational stage
	Morality
	Lawrence Kohlberg
	Preconventional moral reasoning
	Conventional moral reasoning
	Postconventional moral reasoning
	Individualism
	Communal cultures
Social Development in Adolescence
	Erik Erikson
	Stages of psychosocial development
	Trust vs. mistrust
	Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
	Initiative vs. guilt
	Industry (Competence) vs. inferiority
	Identity vs. role confusion
	Intimacy vs. isolation
	Generativity vs. stagnation
	Integrity vs. despair
	Identity
	Experimentation
	Rebellion
	“Self”-ishness
	Optimism and energy
	Intimacy
	Independence from family
Three Key Developmental Issues
	Continuity and stages
	Stability and change
	Nature and nurture