Thinking with Stereotypes - Assignment Example

Stereotypes are thoughts adopted concerning specific people or the way things are carried out. On the contrary, these thoughts may not translate into reality. Over the years, there are various stereotypes associated with teenagers, both positive and negative. Society has a generalized impression and belief towards adolescents ranging from technology and diversity to abnormal and deviant behaviors. Stereotyping can be done by anyone from parents, peers, teachers, and coaches among others. However, there are significant effects attributed to stereotyping adolescents. Some positive stereotypes associated with adolescents include the use of technology and diversity in acquiring knowledge. Adolescents play an important role in society such as coming together for a good cause such as raising money for the needy; take part in sports and other school extra-curricular activities. On the other hand, there is a vast range of negative stereotypes connected with adolescents. For instance, adolescents are stipulated to be involved in bad behaviors such as drinking, taking alcohol and drugs (Santrock 72), laziness, and irresponsible. Other stereotypes involve focusing on trivial and material things such as fashion, and socializing. Therefore, society has placed myriad stereotypes of adolescents based on different perceptions.

Answer 2

Development is a continuous process that is characterized by changes in the pattern from conception throughout the life period. According to social development studies, the development process involves growth and ends with death. On the other hand, there are three classifications of development based on the natural aspect. These include the biological, cognitive, and socio-emotional processes. The biological process entails physical transformations of the human body. For instance, it ranges from brain development, weight gain, height, genes, advancements in motor abilities, and the transformation of hormones into puberty. The cognitive process, on the other hand, entails transformations in an individual thinking and intelligence capacity. As one grows, cognitive changes manifest through various practices such as solving problems, and memorizing poems among others (Santrock 47). The socio-emotional process entails an individual's emotions, personality, and or relationship with others within a social perspective. Some examples that signify socio-emotional process include aggression, assertiveness, and gender-responsibility orientation. Therefore, the aforementioned three processes are intertwined in that the socio-emotional process aids the cognitive during cognitive enhances or limits the socio-emotional process. On the other hand, the biological process plays an imperative role in shaping the cognitive process.  The biological process affects individuals from the puberty stage where there is body transformation due to hormonal changes. Cognitive changes manifest as individuals begin to think more idealistically, abstractly, and in a logical manner. Lastly, the socio-emotional changes are exhibited through the pursuit of independence, squabbles with parents, and spending time with peers.

Answer 3

Resilience refers to positive adaptation and accomplishment of a successful outcome despite prevailing risks and challenges. According to Erikson's psychology theory, there are eight stages that individuals undergo in life. One of the stages is during adolescence when they start to explore and figure out more about themselves, and what direction they are taking in life. In the fifth stage, identity versus identity confusion, individuals can take a positive identity or identity confusion depending on the direction followed during the adolescent developmental stage. According to Piaget's cognitive developmental theory, individuals establish their own understanding of the world and go through four cognitive development stages. The two important aspects of this theory are organization and adaptation (Santrock 69). Finally, Vygotsky's sociocultural cognitive theory stipulates that an individual consistently establish their knowledge.  According to Vygotsky, people learn through different societal interventions such as memory strategies, language, and mathematical systems.

Answer 4: Summary

A Historical perspective about adolescent has been put forward by various philosophers including Plato, Aristotle, Stanley Hall, and Margaret Mead among others. According to Plato, children tend to spend more of their time playing while adolescents engage in math. Stereotypes among individuals can have a significant effect on the social and cultural development process. In the modern world, adolescents between different regions differ due to factors such as improved technology, and prolonged life expectancy among other cultural factors. As a result, it is imperative for people to acknowledge and understand various cultural effects of stereotypes in order to avoid adverse effects on the community in general.

The development process can be categorized in three perspectives: biological, cognitive, and socio-emotional process. However, all the processes are connected and play a domineering role on individuals’ growth. According to research studies, the biological process involves physical changes in an individual, cognitive represents thinking and intelligence transformations, while socio-emotional entails emotions, personality, how individuals relate with each other, and social context. The science of adolescent development can be explained through the use of various adolescent theories. For instance, there are psychoanalytic theories, cognitive theories, behavioral and social cognitive theory, and ecological theories.

Methods of collecting data range from observation, interview, standard test, experience sampling (ESM), case study, and physiological measures. On the other hand, research design methods include descriptive research, correlational research, experimental, longitudinal, and cross sectional research. It is important to put into consideration ethical issues such as confidentiality, deception, informed consent, and debriefing in order to be effective and also minimize bias.

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