Emotional Development of Adolescents

Adolescence is a difficult time. Many theorists have examined the agonies of developing through this trying period. Among these theorists, three stand out as having a great deal of insight into adolescent emotional development: Erik Erikson, Sigmund Freud and Lawrence Kohlberg.

  1. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development: Role and Identity

    • Erikson felt that adolescence was best defined as a time in which the individual struggles to gain acceptance while formulating an independent identity. During the teenage years, a young person needs to feel like she is part of a group, yet she must feel that she is making her own decisions and building her future identity.

    Implications of Erikson's Stages

    • An adolescent who does not form her own clear identity during this stage may never formulate a sense of true self. She may not understand her role in society. Future decisions may be far more difficult. If the individual is not sure of who she is or what she wants, she may make decisions that are impulsive or not based on educated choice. This may result in poor life decisions or changing jobs, marriages or places of residence frequently.

    Freud's Psychosexual Stages: Genital Stage (Puberty)

    • According to Sigmund Freud, hormonal and physical changes cause individuals of this age to focus on sexual thoughts. School, family and other factors that have been important until now are displaced by sex in the mind of the adolescent. This causes individuals to rebel against their parents and to be narcissistic.

    Implications of Freud's Theories

    • Parents must be diligent, working to keep adolescents focused on school and priorities. However, parents must be careful not to completely smother the teen's independence. It is important for an individual to have limits, but he must feel that he has some control over his future destiny, or he will have greater cause to rebel.

    Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development: Conventional Morality

    • Adolescents, and many adults, subscribe to a conventional view of morality. These individuals see right and wrong in relation to the expectations of society. They see following rules as important to maintaining the social order. Often, they see nonconformity in the light of rebellion for rebellion's sake.

    Implications of Kohlberg's Theory

    • Teenagers and young adults may strive to be nonconforming simply to be outside the "norm." These individuals do not break rules or traditions for personal reasons, but simply because they want to do what is not expected. Parents must be on guard for this and help adolescents develop true individuality, not just being different for the sake of difference.

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