Psychological Issues of Adolescence

What are the positive aspects of peer groups during adolescence? Which of Erikson’s stages describes the psychological issues of adolescence? In your opinion, which stage is the most important? Why?
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Extra information on Erikson’s theory is provided at the end of this response.

RESPONSE:

1. What are the positive aspects of peer groups during adolescence?

The positive aspects of peer groups during adolescents:

o The adolescent’s need to be accepted and recognized by peers can affect feelings of security, perceptions of importance, and independent decision-making (Silber, 1961, as cited in http://www.princetonleadership.org/pgc/pgc-art1.pdf).

o Peer relations and groups are associated with adolescent self-acceptance, which is closely related to a positive identity (Erikson’s theory) (http://books.google.ca/books?id=JOmyxqc0j_cC&pg=PA74&lpg=PA74&dq=positive+peer+relation+well+adjusted&source=bl&ots=fxQlNX8vQf&sig=dGOTlHgxFs42cv9Tl5FuInRYb1o&hl=en&ei=o4yfSdfmO4KqsAPI0IzZCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result#PPA78,M1).

o A large body of research therefore indicates that positive peer relationships are a very important factor in adolescent development, including social skills, self-esteem and identity development. (http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1738/Adolescent-Peer-Culture.html)

o Evidence from follow-back studies of adults consistently supports the view that psychological and educational maladjustment in adulthood is associated with histories of problematic childhood and adolescent peer relationships. Conversely, well adjusted adults are related to histories of positive peer groups in childhood and adolescents.

o Longitudinal prospective studies also indicate that children who were identified as socially rejected by their peers in fifth grade were …