As you have read in the textbook, Infants, Children, and Adolescents, adolescent cognitive changes lead to dramatic revisions in the ways adolescents see themselves, others, and the world in general. Teenagers are on a journey to discover an identity that is separate from their family. They may begin adolescence with increased turmoil within the core family and an increased focus on the values of peers, but by the end of adolescence, the concept of self is more stable and comprehensive. The focus of this Discussion Board is on the positive consequences of adolescent cognitive changes and on the process that teens undergo when developing a sense of identity.
1. Adolescent cognitive changes are reflected in many aspects of adolescents' everyday behavior, including self-consciousness and self-focusing, idealism and criticism, and difficulties with planning and decision making (Berk & Meyers, 2016). Discuss some of the benefits or advantages of the following ways of adolescent thinking: Imaginary audience and personal fable
2. Idealism and criticism
3. Faulty decision making
4. Erikson called the psychological conflict of adolescence identity versus role confusion. Current theorists no longer describe this process as a "crisis" but, rather, as a process of exploration followed by commitment. The various combinations of exploration and commitment yield four identity statuses typical of adolescents. Describe the four identity statuses.
5. What personal and contextual factors can promote a teen's identity development?