Psychology 1230-CPsychology of Adolescence3 Semester UnitsAuthorDavid Moore, M.S.Graduate Research AssistantDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of UtahRevision AuthorsKelly Pelzel, M.S.Graduate Teaching AssistantShelby Ferrin, M.S.Graduate Teaching AssistantDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of UtahTextSantrock, J. Adolescence (10th Edition) McGraw-HillCourse Objectives• to present the complexity and richness of adolescence within the contexts of family, peers,school, and culture•to consider the major changes encountered in adolescence• to help you develop and refine your critical thinking skills, your ability to organize andintegrate information, and your proficiency in communicating in writingCourse DescriptionStudied are the major changes encountered in adolescence with emphasis on the significantcontextual influences on adolescent developmental outcomes. Influences considered includepeers, families, schools, and culture.The course consists of 15 lessons and your final grade is determined as follows:5 Assignments (50 pts. each) 250 points3 Exams* (100 pts. each)300 pointsTotal possible 550 pointsEach assignment includes short answer, essay questions, and questions designed to enhance yourcritical thinking. There is an optional extra credit research paper.Exams consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Exam III is not comprehensive.801.581.8801 • 1-800-467-8839 • www.continue.utah.edu/distance • www.continue.utah.edu//4educators*Fail Exam III, fail the course. University of Utah Independent Study policy requires students topass the last exam in order to pass the class. A final grade — whether passing or failing — willbe sent to the University of Utah Registrar.Transfer of CreditIf you are planning to transfer University of Utah Independent Study course credit to anotherinstitution or use the credit for recertification/professional education purposes, obtain approvalfrom the appropriate entity prior to registering for this course.Lesson ContentLesson 1 Introduction to the Psychology of Adolescence• why a single model cannot provide a developmental explanation for alladolescents• the three processes that shape development through the human life span• current research on adolescence• risks that contemporary adolescents face regarding health and well-beingLesson 2 Science of Adolescent Development• define and distinguish among theory, hypothesis, and scientific method• identify and contrast the basic assumptions of: 1) psychoanalytic theory; 2)cognitive theory; 3) behavioral and social cognitive theories; and 4)ecological, contextual theory• list and explain the strengths and weaknesses of the major methods formeasuring psychological phenomena scientifically• consider some ethical issues in conducting research, as well as the issue ofgender bias in researchLesson 3 Puberty, Health, and Biological Foundations, • define and contrast genotype and phenotype• gender differences in body image concerns during adolescence• importance of developing positive health behaviors, and list relevant healthrisk areas for adolescents• basal metabolism rate and how it changes through adolescenceLesson 4 Cognitive Development•four stages of Piaget’s theory• criticisms of Piaget’s theories• Vygotsky’s view of adolescent cognitive development• various developmental changes in information processing skills (includingmemory, attention, decision-making, etc.) during adolescenceLesson 5 Intelligence and Social Cognition• the traditional definition of intelligence and why it’s hard to defineintelligence•compare and contrast various theories of intelligence• three major controversies concerning intelligence• how each of the five approaches to adolescent cognition viewmaturation/environmental influences; stages; individual differences;cognitive processes/mechanisms; and the model of the adolescent• Elkind’s contributions to our understanding of social cognitionLesson 6 Families• direct and indirect effects in a family system• four changes that occur for parents of adolescents• parent-child and child-child (sibling) interactions and why siblings may bemore important than parents for some aspects of socialization• the effects of divorce on adolescents• evidence that adolescents’ social development benefits from interaction witha fatheLesson 7 Peers• peers and their relative importance to the social development of adolescents• time spent with peers changes from early childhood through adolescence• distinguish among popular children, rejected children, neglected children,and controversial children• various functions of friendship and its importance for adolescents’development• functions of datingLesson 8 Schools• characteristics of successful middle-schools• differences in college students’ relationships with their parents when theylive at home versus when they board at college• traits of teachers associated with positive student outcomes• school experiences of Asian, African American, and Latino students• describe six strategies for improving relations between ethnically diversestudentsLesson 9 Culture• define and describe key features of culture• distinguish between socioeconomic status (SES)and ethnicity• assimilation, acculturation, alternation, and multicultural models of culturalchange• history and experiences of various ethnic minorities in the United States• patterns of viewing television and using other media for adolescents;indicate the nature of individual differences in media useLesson 10 The Self, Identity, Emotions, and Personality• development of self-understanding in adolescence• Erikson's views on identity and its development• parenting styles and identity outcomes•gender influences on development of identity• various types of intimacy stylesLesson 11 Gender•possible social influences on gender role acquisition•evidence that teachers’treatment of male and female adolescents differs• contexts’ influence on whether males and females express helping behaviorand emotions• gender intensification hypothesis• Gilligan’s views on adolescent females’ development; evidence and criticismsLesson 12 Sexuality• typical progression of adolescent sexual behaviors• incidence and nature of adolescent pregnancy in the United States• influence of cognitive factors on pregnancy among early, middle, and lateadolescents• five developmental issues