Similarities and Differences in Adolecents

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Describes the differences and similarities of adolecents. The similarities and differences between the early and middle childhood development stages and adult stages of psychological development Similarities and Differences in Adolescent Development Betsy L. Shatzer University of Phoenix PSYCH 500 June 4, 2012 Dr. Jody Pendleton Similarities and Differences in Adolescent Development The experiencing the period of adolescence is described historically as a passage from childhood to adulthood. Erikson’s (1950) original formation saw adolescent development as “a universal epigenetic sequence of development,” of which the primary task is the formation of identity (Schwartz & Montgomery, 2002, p. 360; Chen & Farruggia, 2002). However, recent generations of adolescents have more cultural diversity. In addition, Carol Gilligan (1988) theorized that gender differences affected human development. Adolescents of different generations live with different cultural, social, economic, academic, political, and public health stressors found within different historical eras. If Erikson’s Theory (1950) of the universal epigenetic sequence of development displays a true window to human development, the experience of being an adolescent is the same throughout cultural and sub-cultural populations, in different historical eras, and for males, and females. Examined within are the similarities and differences in the area of cultures and sub-cultures. The Universality of Adolescence as a Distinct Life-Period in Every Culture As stated, Erickson’s Theory (1950) supported the universality of adolescence as distinct life period (Schwartz & Montgomery 2002; Chen & Farruggia, 2002). The first question concerning the cross-cultural adolescent similarities and differences is if all cultures view adolescence as a unique life period. In
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