PSYCH 250 1st EditionExam 3 Study Guide: Lectures: 13 - 18Lecture 13Psychosocial Development During Middle SchoolWhat changes occur in self-concept and self-esteem between the ages of 7 and 11? What roles do peer groups and friendships play during middle childhood? Discuss the traits of popular, average, controversial, neglected, rejected – aggressive and rejected – withdrawn children. What is bullying? Who are the bullies and who are the victims? In terms of divorce and remarriage, what is the most important aspect for healthy development?Between the ages of 7-11 children develop a more balanced, and complex sense of self. They tend to focus on their competencies, and fewer extreme self-descriptions. Children at this stage:-use social comparisons-can discriminate between the real vs. ideal self-use their peers as a reference (peers are important)Self esteem declines during middle childhood and then rises after 4th grade. Children develop a more realistic sense of self (they realize they’re not good at everything). Self – esteem is a hierarchical structure: academic, social, physical competence (athletics), and physical appearance. Physical appearance correlates the most strongly to overall feelings of self-worth, and girls report lower self – esteem. Peer groups become very important at this stage. Peers offer a sense of belonging, and help shape one’s definitions of self. Peers provide an opportunity for learning and practicing variety of social skills including loyalty and self-disclosure. It is important to protect your friends, fit in, and keep a contract between friends.*Peers send a strong message regarding moral rules and values within the context of the friendship*During middle childhood, children become more selective about whom they choose as friends. Friendship is MORE important than peer acceptance.Peer Acceptance: extent to which a child is viewed as a worthy social partner Peer acceptance is divided in 5 categories:PopularThe children in the popular category received mostly positive votes. About 1/3 of children received these votes.Average These children received just as many negative votes as positive votes.Controversial These children often engage in pro-social behavior. They are liked, but irritating RejectedThese children receive many negative votes, and are disliked by their peers (these are children most concerned about)Neglected These children don’t receive many votes either way. They are not rejected butbe quiet or shy.There are two types of popularity: Prosocial and Antisocial-Prosocial: well-liked for their kind, trustworthy, and cooperative qualities-Antisocial: tough boys/relationally aggressive children, high in status, but fearedThere are two types of rejected children: Aggressive and Withdrawn-Aggressive: disliked for their antagonistic, confrontational, and impulsive behavior-Withdrawn: disliked for their passive and socially awkward behavior – expect and accept negative treatmentBullying: repeated, systematic, efforts to inflict harm through physical or verbal abuse.Bullies often stem from the popular antisocial and aggressive – rejected groups. They are high instatus, physically and relationally aggressive, and feared. They lack empathy and may “troll” for potential targets. Some aggressive – rejected bullies are also bullied – Bully-Victims. Who are the victims? The victims are often withdrawn-rejected children who have no peer support. Bully victims are at an increased risk for school failure and low self-esteem.In terms of divorce and remarriage, it is FAMILY FUNCTIONING not family structure that is MOREimportant for healthy development of children.The consequences of divorce are affected by the child’s: sex, age, and temperament. On average, children of divorce and remarriage experience problems across a variety of domains. They are more likely to engage in early sexual activity, drop out of school, and abuse drugs. Remember: FAMILY FUNCTIONING!Lecture 14Biosocial Development During AdolescenceWhat factors contribute to the onset of puberty? Do hormones really cause the perceived “stormand stress” of adolescence? When does the menarche (or spermarche) occur? Describe the impact of the timing of puberty for boys and girls. Describe gender differences in first sexual encounters. Is teen sex really a problem? What is the “coming out” process for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth?The onset of puberty is affected by factors: genes, hormones, body fat, and stress. Puberty it gradual and is triggered by the release of a chemical signal from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland that stimulates an increased production of hormones: estrogens and androgens.When the process of puberty first begins, conflict, moodiness, and sexual urges do increase, butthe effect of hormones on these features is often indirect, and depends heavily upon the psychosocial context  Hormones and culture interact.**Study: Waiting for the Weekend: middle and high-school students do report more negative moods than adults, but the negative moods of high schoolers are usually correlated with a perceived negative event.**Physical growth during puberty is rapid, and asymmetrical. Girls tend to hit the spurt 2 years earlier than boys the same age. Girls tend to gain more fat, and boys tend to gain more muscle.Menarche: the first period usually occurs between the ages of 10 ½ and 12 ½. Spermarche: (boys) usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 16 years. Primary Sex Characteristics: body parts directly involved in reproductionSecondary Sex Characteristics: traits which are not necessary for reproductionPuberty is universal, but its timing and speed is not. Early and late maturing has different effectson boys and girls:Girls BoysEarly Maturers- Low self-confidence- Withdrawn- More deviant behavior- Low self-esteem- More long-term problems- MOST CONCERNED ABOUT- Popular- Confident- Positive self-image- More deviant behaviorLate Maturers- Popular- Socially inclined- Leaders- Positive self-image- Unpopular- Attention seeking- Negative self-image- Intellectual curiositySex has become normative of adolescence. 75% of teens have reported having sex by the age of18-19. Sexually active teens have the highest rates of STIs, and the number of HIV infected teensdoubles each year. 27% of teens do NOT use contraceptive.**Sexual activity that occurs after the age of 16 or later is NOT associated with problems.