Overview
The response to be completed on the uploaded document.
INTRODUCTION:
Adolescence is a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood, lasting approximately from 12 to 18 years old (although some developmental psychologists maintain that a transitional stage—emerging adulthood—can extend many adolescent experiences up to about 25 years old). This pivotal phase of development includes changes in psychological, biological, social, and environmental domains as the adolescent takes strides towards adulthood. From studying the impact of social media on an adolescent's self-esteem, to investigating peer influence on identity in high schoolers, research plays a pivotal role in helping us understand the factors that most impact adolescent growth and development. It is important to learn to find and understand psychological research to stay updated with the most current information in the field.
A variety of different perspectives exist on adolescent development. Some perspectives focus more strongly on biological components, others more on social components. Theorists often try to understand how multiple environmental factors (parenting, culture, politics, and more) influence an adolescent's growth and development. You will want to keep these multiple perspectives in mind as you work through the course.
PREPARATION:
- Download and review the Putting It Together [DOCX] worksheet.
- Then, read Svensson, et al.’s (2022) article, Does Gender Matter? The Association Between Different Digital Media Activities and Adolescent Well-Being, which can be found in your Assessment Resources reading list.
INSTRUCTIONS:
To fill out the worksheet, work your way through each of the four sections:
- Part 1: Source Review.
- Part 2: Connecting Concepts.
- Part 3: Values, Ethics, and Interpersonal Relationships.
- Part 4: Project Management.
SOURCES:
The following chapters describe theories and concepts related to adolescent development, which spans approximately ages 12 to 18, with some attention as well on emerging adulthood (continuing up to about age 25). These chapters explore developments in different domains as the teenager gains cognitive skills and navigates identity development. Review the chapters below to enhance your knowledge of different perspectives during the adolescent years of life.
- Arnett, J. J., & Jensen, L. A. (2025). Adolescence and emerging adulthood: A cultural approach (7th ed.). Pearson. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
- Chapter 3, "Cognitive Foundations."
- Chapter 4, "Cultural Beliefs."
- Chapter 5, "Gender."
- Chapter 6, "The Self."
- Chapter 12, "Media."
After you have read from your textbook, you may wish to use the following links to learn more about brain functions. View these illustrations and reflect on how the brain works; think about how the information is connected to the psychology of adolescence.
- Hemispheres of the Brain.
- Brain Anatomy.
The following chapter describes research methods related to adolescent development.
- Arnett, J. J., & Jensen, L. A. (2025). Adolescence and emerging adulthood: A cultural approach (7th ed.). Pearson. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
- Chapter 1, "Adolescent Development in Today’s World."
- In your Assessment Resources reading list, read Svensson, et al.’s (2022) article, Does Gender Matter? The Association Between Different Digital Media Activities and Adolescent Well-Being.
GRADING COMEPETENCIES:
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
- Competency 1: Apply key concepts, principles, and themes in adolescent development.
- Relate developmental psychological terminology, concepts, and research to mental processes.
- Competency 2: Describe basic psychological research.
- Describe research methods and quantitative data used in research.
- Competency 3: Describe how individual differences, social identity, and worldview may influence beliefs, values, and interactions with others.
- Describe the need for positive personal values in building strong relationships with others.
- Competency 4: Use project management skills.
- Describe how to find information needed to complete the second assessment including process, strategies, and solutions to possible problems.
- Competency 5: Write using a clear purpose, organization, tone, and sentence structure.
- Use APA style format for a reference and citations.
- Create a text in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.