Observation Research on Adolescence

Understanding life span and how one develops physically, psychology and cognitively is important. For the purpose of this assignment, the subject used for the observation was a 16 year old male named James. He is currently living with his parents and has one older sister who is attending college out of town. James is in the 11th grade and will be turning seventeen in just a few weeks. He appeared to be a fairly well rounded young man who makes good grades in school and loves playing football. Most of his free time is spent working out as he works to improve his football skills. In addition, he is spending a great deal of time going to skills camps and is just beginning the recruitment phase for college football. This observation took place at his home on a Sunday afternoon.

The ages between 12 and 19 are identified as the age of adolescence. During this period of development, there are many changes that take places within an individual. One of the greatest changes that occur is physically. As children begin to mature and development in their teens, there is a significant growth in weight and height. It is not unusual for females to gain about 20 pounds a year and males 25 pounds a year during the peak of their growth spurts. This is the stage known as puberty when the physical body moves from being that of a child to adulthood. Females will have development in their breast as well as the start of their menstrual cycles. For males, they begin to develop a more masculine look, including body hair and the growth of the testes and scrotum. This physical maturation is the result of changing levels of hormones in the body. When puberty begins there can be psychological consequences for either early or later development. Boys who mature early have been found to more independent and self-confident. For girls, early maturation can have the opposite effect. On the other side of the coin, is the late maturation which for males can lead them to be more frustrated while for females, females have more self-confidence. For James he had a tremendous change in his physical appearance around the age of 12. His mother and he showed me some pictures in which James was, for lack of a better description, a butter ball. He was stout and round. He began to experience physical growth as he began to get taller. At the same time, his baby fat began to disappear. James stated that during this period he also became interested in working out and getting into shape. Part of the reason for this desire he said was because when he was 11 years old, he experienced some really bad headaches. While having those headaches, which were very similar to migraines, he was not able to do much. He would go to school but have a difficult time concentrating on his school work. For the past four years, James has developed physically to that of a young man. He stated he currently is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 260 pounds.

The psychosocial development during adolescence is often viewed as a struggle as young people what has been identified as a movement towards independence. Among the issues that individuals between the ages of 12 and 19 experience the struggle with sense of identity. During this stage individuals will typically feeling awkward or strange about one’s self and one’s body. This is just a part of accepting the changes that are taking place. While not sure of themselves, many adolescents will focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem. They will also feel pressures to fit in with their social group and as a result their interests and clothing style will be influenced by peer group it was obvious that James is well grounded with good friends. His mother talked about his group of friends and how just about every Friday night between 8 and 12 of them usually wind up at one of their homes, just hanging out and having a good time. At the same time, James has a girlfriend who is typically goes out with on Saturday nights. They go to the same school and have several classes together, so every now and then; James stated they might study together. I got the impression from talking with James and his mother that James is pretty much a normal teenager. He has his friends, family and his sport, football.

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Parents often have difficulty understanding their children during this stage of development. One of the signals that a child is going through adolescence is moodiness. Nothing makes them happy. Also, children tend to show their independence by speaking up for themselves. They may not always agree with their parents and will express themselves. Adolescents realize that their parents are not perfect which can come as a shock to some. It causes friction in the parent-child relationship. This is when adolescents want to show their independence. It is a difficult time for both the parents and the adolescents as their world evolves and changes as adolescents test the rules and limits they have. As children mature they develop their own ideals that may not be the same as their parents. It is difficult for parents to realize their child is growing up. When adolescents experiment with thins such as sex, smoking, alcohol and drugs it can be a real testing time for everyone. The one fact that his mother made about James was how independent he is. It has been difficult for her and his father to realize he is very much his own person. Since he started to drive, James has had much more freedom than ever before. However, his mother stated she and his father trust their son and so far he has not done anything to make them not trust him.

Cognitively, adolescents acquire the ability to think systematically about all logical relationships within a problem. The transition from concrete thinking to formal logical operations occurs over time. As with physical development and psychosocial development, cognitive development among adolescents varies from each individual based on his ability. Some adolescents may be able to apply logical operations to school work long before they are able to apply them to personal dilemmas. When emotional issues arise, they often interfere with an adolescent’s ability to think in more complex ways. The ability to consider possibilities, as well as facts, may influence decision making, in either positive or negative ways. James is rather good student. He typically makes all B’s and some A’s. He stated that school is not that difficult and that he does not have to spend hours studying every night. He did state that when it comes test time, he puts in more time preparing for them.

During early adolescence, the use of more complex thinking is focused on personal decision making in school and home environments. The early adolescent begins to demonstrate use of formal logical operations in schoolwork. The early adolescent begins to form and verbalize his/her own thoughts and views on a variety of topics, usually more related to his/her own life, such as which sports are better to play and which groups are better to be included in. The focus of middle adolescence often expands to include more philosophical and futuristic concerns. The middle adolescent often questions more extensively as well as to analyze everything more extensively. The middle adolescent thinks about and begins to form his/her own code of ethics regarding what is right and what is wrong. During late adolescence, complex thinking processes are used to focus on less self-centered concepts as well as personal decision making. The late adolescent has increased thoughts about more global concepts such as justice, history, politics, and patriotism. It is also by late adolescence that the individual has developed idealistic views. As the adolescence stage is coming to a close, the late adolescent begins to focus thinking on making career decisions as well as what his role will be as an adult in society. James is at the age where he is looking ahead to college. One of the facts that were shared was the opportunity to play college football. Taking that in consideration, James is spending a great deal of time going to spring games and events called junior days when high school players are invited to college campuses to meet coaches and learn more about football programs. He is taking this journey rather seriously as he wants to make the right decision about college. The years between 12 and 19 are a significant period of growth and development as the individual becomes his or her own person. It is a difficult time as the adolescent is often challenged by what he/she learns. However it also the stage of life that helps to define who the individual is.

Human growth and development theories have many similarities as well as differences. One of the theories that is very detailed and provides a great deal of information is the one developed by Erik Erickson. In his theory, Erickson described eight stages of development that have what he called crisis for psychological growth. According to this theory, each individual must go through the crisis in each stage before moving on to the next stage of development. In addition to the crisis for each stage, Erikson also provided an age range for each stage and the steps that take place in each stage. Stage one of Erikson’s theories of human growth and development is Basic trust versus mistrust and occurs during infancy. In this stage, Erikson argued that the foundation for human growth and development can be found. At this stage, infants are getting used to the world and the way their parents bond with the infant is critical to the development of trust. This is the stage when the infant is dependent upon the mother for basic needs such as feeding and being comforted, teething, sleeping Erikson believed that there had to be a balance of trust and mistrust so that infants can develop hope which leads to the infants’ ability to be open to new experiences as well as having some wariness regarding the discomfort or danger that may arise. Stage two is defined as Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt by Erikson. This stage begins around the age of one and continues until age 3. During this stage, children gradually come to understand that they can control their own actions. This when children begin to show signs of independence. There is much more self control as well as signs of willpower on the part of the child. According to Erikson, a blend of autonomy, shame and doubt will lead to will, the knowledge that, within limits, children can act on their world intentionally.

The third stage of Erikson’s human growth and development theory is Initiative versus guilt. This takes place between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. This is the stage when children begin to exploration and discovery, adventure and play. Usually between the ages of 3 and 4, parents allow their child to take on more responsibilities such as dressing themselves. This is also the stage where children begin to identify more with adults, especially their parents. Play begins to have a purpose as children explore adult’s roles and also begin to explore their environment on their own. They ask a lot of questions during this stage as well.

The fourth stage occurs between 6 and 12 years of age according to Erikson. He identified this stage as Industry versus Inferiority. During this stage, children experience learning, creating and accomplishing numerous new skills and knowledge, therefore developing a sense of industry. This stage is also a very social stage of development which can lead to experiences with unresolved feelings of inadequacy and inferiority with peers. It is also the stage when there are issues with competency and self-esteem. Erikson was of the opinion that during this stage, relationships change as parents are no longer considered to be the complete authority as they once were. Instead there are outside forces such as school and the neighborhood which impacts how an individual develops opinions and ideas.

The fifth stage was identified by Erikson as Identity versus. Role Confusion, This is typically the stage of adolescence and occurs between the ages of 12 and 18. During this stage, the shift moves from the concept of what is done to us to what we do. This is when there is a great deal of growth with one’s own identity. In this stage, Erikson stated life gets more complicated. Not only do individuals search for who they are but they struggle with issues of social interactions and moral issues.

Intimacy and Solidarity versus. Isolation is the sixth stage. Erikson stated that this is the age of young adulthood as it begins around age 18 and continues until age 35. In this stage, it is a period when individuals are seeking mutually satisfying relationships, it is the stage when many get married and start families. If this stage is successful, individuals experience intimacy on a deep level, if there is failure with establishing families then individuals often experience isolation and distance from others. It is the stage where having satisfying relationships is critical. Friendships and marriage are the most significant relationships individuals can have.

The seventh stage Erickson called generatively versus. Self absorption or Stagnation. This stage is actually middle age and starts at age 35 and continues until around age 65. During this stage, Erickson stated work is most crucial. He observed that middle-age is when individuals tend to be occupied with creative and meaningful work as well as with issues surrounding our family. During this stage individuals are also perceived as being in charge. This is a role that is longed for as one develops and matures. The significant task in this stage is to perpetuate culture and transmit values of the culture through the family and working to establish a stable environment. Strength comes through care of others and production of something that contributes to the betterment of society, which Erikson calls generativity. In this stage individuals often fear inactivity and meaninglessness. Major life changes occur as children grow up and leave home and other relationships evolve and change.

The eighth and last stage of Erikson’s human growth and development theory is called Integrity versus. Despair. This occurs during late Adulthood from age 65 and older. It is during this stage that Erikson stated individuals look back on their lives and what they have accomplished. If the individual looks back with happiness and are content, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning and they have made a contribution to life, they experience what Erikson calls integrity. Some adults may reach this stage and despair at their experiences and perceived failures. They may fear death as they struggle to find a purpose to their lives, wondering “Was the trip worth it?” The strength comes from a wisdom that the world is very large and at this stage individuals have a detached concern for the whole of life, accepting death as the completion of life.

One of the reasons that Erikson’s theory is so good is the fact that he was able to tie together important psychological development across the entire life span. He also recognized that one’s environment played a significant role in one’s human growth and development. Erikson felt the course of development is determined by the interaction of the body, mind and cultural influences.

In the case of James, he is in the fifth stage that Erikson described. This can be a difficult time for anyone who is trying to discover who he/she is. In spending time with James, I was impressed with how well he seemed to know who he is and where he is headed with his future. While he has not decided on his future career goals yet, he does have ideas about either eventually getting a degree in Accounting so he can work at his father’s firm or maybe major in education and become a high school teacher and football coach.

Overall I found James to be a typical teen age male who is enjoying his life as it is for now. He has a supportive family who is encouraging him to continue to play football while expecting him to make good grades in school. It was evident from this observation that this is close knit family who enjoys being together. At the same time, James has his own life with his friends and his own interests. It would appear that James is on track to develop into a young adult with many possibilities in his future.