Psyc3210_Simanovich_Sarah_3-1

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1 Identity Development in Adolescence Sarah Simanovich Capella University PSYC 3210: Human Lifespan Development Andrea Phronebarger April 2023

2 Identity Development in Adolescence Emma Washington is a thirteen year old who has reportedly been undergoing many physical, social, and emotional changes. She has been arguing with her family more frequently and spending the majority of her time texting her friends. Emma has stopped planning for her fu- ture and her main concern has only been with her friendships. Emma is currently in the Identity v. Identity Confusion stage of Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory. She is also going through many changes in terms of brain development and puberty in the adolescent stage (Santrock, 2021). Psychosocial Development Erikson’s theory of Psychosocial Development says that there are eight stages of devel- opment throughout life. In each stage, a crisis must be resolved to successfully move on to next stage. Emma being thirteen years old and an adolescent is in the Identity v. Identity Confusion state of Psychosocial Development (Santrock, 2021). In the Identity v. Identity Confusion stage of development an adolescent must figure out who they are and where they are going in life. If they cannot figure this out by adolescence they will experience Identity Confusion. Erikson also believed that these children experience a Psy- chosocial Moratorium. This is a gap between childhood security and adult autonomy. They are given a break from responsibility so they are able to try out different roles or identities. Erikson believed an adolescent suffering from Identity Confusion will withdraw and isolate themselves from peers and family. Alternatively, they may immerse themselves in peers and lose their iden- tity altogether (Santrock, 2021).

3 Emma Washington is showing many signs of trying to find her identity in this stage. She is also showing signs of potentially showing Identity Confusion, although she is still a young adolescent. Emma was very interested in going to college, specifically to become a teacher. Most recently, she has stopped listening to advice on what courses she needs to take to achieve those goals. She has only picking her classes based on advice from her friends. She has also been showing no interest in her future and only immersing herself in her peers (Santrock, 2021). Puberty & Brain Development Puberty begins in adolescence and affects all areas of development. In females, such as Emma Washington, it begins with the development of breasts or the appearance of pubic and/or underarm hair. There is an increase in height and the hips become wider than the shoulders. There are weight gains which typically arrive two years earlier for girls. Along with these changes, come issues with body image and self-esteem. There is an increased likelihood for is- sues with body image with a higher social media usage (Santrock, 2021). Along with the changes from puberty, there are also significant brain changes as well. The corpus callous which connects the left and right brain hemispheres thickens. This improves the ability to process information. The limbic system becomes almost completely developed. This system is responsible for emotions and rewards. The neurotransmitter dopamine increases during puberty. This is linked to risk taking and reward seeking, which is one reason why some teenagers begin to sneak out or start drugs around this age (Santrock, 2021). Emma Washington has recently gained some weight and become very conscious of it. She diets for a few weeks at a time. She has also recently become very aware of her appearance and spends over one hour every morning getting ready for school. It is likely that Emma has

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