Adolescent Psychology

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you should be able to describe and explain:

• The history of adolescence and the emergence of the study of adolescence
• The biological processes of puberty
• How cognition changes during adolescence and how those changes affect adolescents' views of the world
• How cultural beliefs and moral development affect social interaction in adolescents in different cultures
• Gender socialization in traditional and Western cultures
• The process of identity formation and the development of self during adolescence
• The dynamics of parent-child relationships in traditional and Western cultures
• The challenges facing schools in dealing with adolescents
• The most common problems in adolescence, including substance abuse, risky behavior, criminal behavior, depression, suicide and eating disorders

What You Learn

• Historical perspective of adolescent psychology
• Overview of adolescence (as a stage in life development)
• Biological change, including growth curves, changes to the reproductive system and the stage of adolescence
• Cognition in adolescence
• Culture and gender
• Hoffman's Theory of Moral Development
• Gender vs. sex
• Identity in the context of the family, including the pressure to establish identity, self-efficacy and self-esteem
• Family relationships and peer influences
• Sexuality
• Sociobiology
• Parenting practices and the need for achievement
• Bridges to adulthood: work and the media
• Adolescent problems, including antisocial personalities and Attention Deficit Disorder

How You Learn

• Commentary topics
• Textbook reading assignments
• Online discussions
• Self-study questions
• Written assignments
• Proctored final exam