Interviewed 1,708 East and West German adolescents to study similarities and differences in their psychosocial transitions. Found that females generally underwent transitions earlier than males. East German youths conceived of the transition to work and displayed autonomy earlier than West German youth, but the overall timetable of transitions…

Describes typical developmental traits for different age groups of campers to help camp counselors understand them. Lists characteristics such as curiosity for ages 5-7, group awareness for ages 10-12, conformity and self-awareness for ages 12-15, and expansive and changing ambitions for ages 15-17. (CDS)

Seeks to review varied meanings regression has held within psychoanalytic and developmental literatures; focus on the forms, frequencies, and functions of regression when examining data from two structural developmental models addressing dimensions of normative adolescent identity development; and consider precipitants for different forms of…

This chapter discusses biological contributions to adolescent female sexual development and, based on a developmental systems framework, suggests future research directions.

This chapter provides an expanded view of parent- adolescent sexual communication and socialization in an effort to move beyond risk perspectives toward a consideration of other important aspects of sexual socialization.

This review examines research in moral and spiritual development during the adolescent years, with a primary focus on Piaget's and Kohlberg's theories. It begins by presenting definitions of morality and then discusses theories of moral development set forth by Piaget, Elkind, and Kohlberg. Theories of Piaget and Kohlberg are briefly compared.…

The authors focus on the moral development of the early adolescent (ages 10 to 15). The ways in which early adolescents develop morally, social influences on such development, and the expression of morality behaviorally are discussed. (Editor/KC)

Rhetorical, historical, and feminist perspectives are used to critique some common assumptions about adolescents and their universal and distinctive status. The characteristics often perceived as timeless can be located within a sociohistorical context of their creation. The view of adolescents as out of control due to hormonal action is…

Clarifies the meanings of the terms "normalization" and "normality," broadens the discussion of normality beyond Montessori's first plane of development, and explores the unique conditions conducive to normality in the second and third planes. (EV)

Secondary school students (N=12,988) completed Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and questionnaire assessing experience with cigarettes, inhalants, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Discriminant analyses of substance use, across achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion identity statuses, yielded significant functions for…

Fifteen-year olds have the highest crime rate of any age group in Great Britain. A formal initiation of adolescents into adulthood, such as that of Australian Aboriginal society, may be what is lacking in contemporary society. Examines functions of the Aboriginal initiation as a basis for modern initiations that include challenge, responsibility,…

Discusses the four "planes of development" posited by Maria Montessori: (1) from birth to age 6; (2) from age 6 to 12; (3) from age 12 to 18; and (4) full maturity. Although Montessori schools have been successful in dealing with children during the first two planes, efforts need to be focused on adolescents at the third stage. (MDM)

Proposes a perspective for understanding the development of adolescent sexual intimacy. Describes a "transitional stage" in which adolescents, driven by developmental needs, experiment with sexual behaviors, and which results in the ability to achieve "relational" sexual intimacy when completed. Discusses problems and implications for counseling…

Assessed Type A behavior pattern for 122 teenagers who had heart rate measured during rest and presentation of mental arithmetic stressor under timed and competitive conditions. Examined whether sex, age, task performance, and behavior pattern predicted heart rate reactivitiy. Found no significant main effects for behavior pattern, sex, or age;…

Reviews literature on ego identity development. Presents a model of identity development as an iterative process of person-context transactions. Maintains that one's developmental trajectory is determined by the way conflicts arising through transactions are solved. Suggests that optimal development requires balance between assimilation and…