Argues for a view of adolescence as deriving from the nature of the interaction of adolescent thought and action in a social setting. Suggests the necessity for rethinking current definitions of adult as well as adolescent development and calls for a change in ways both groups are educated. (RC)

Notes that few investigations have addressed adolescents' conception of knowledge. Provides a rationale as to why it may be useful to more adequately explore how adolescents view knowledge. Reviews existing investigations and discusses three general approaches to the study of the subject. (Author/NB)

Gilligan's work on sex differences in moral reasoning, perception of violence, resolution of sexual dilemmas, and abortion decisions poses a major challenge to Kohlberg's theory because of its feminist perspective of moral development. Gilligan suggests Kohlberg's demonstration of males and females attaining different levels of moral development…

Using Erikson's theories on identity development as a framework, this paper examines the motives for and contexts of suicide among preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults, identifies specific school-age populations that are vulnerable to suicide, and discusses implications. (Contains 45 references.) (GCP)

Links the developmental-familial implications of parental alcoholism with the individuation process. Suggests a developmental agenda for understanding adolescents, summarizes the literature on children of alcoholism, and focuses on elements of individuation which have relevance to children from alcoholic families. Looks at the concepts of physical…

Examines the effects and interactions of gender, pubertal status, and body weight on the self-concept of young adolescent Australian students. The mean self-concept score was significantly related to students' standard body weight, and there was an interaction between gender and puberty, with postpubertal males having the highest and…

Reviews three existing sequential models of mate selection: Kerckhoff and Davis' Filter Model, Murstein's Stimulus-Value-Role Model, and Lewis's Premarital Dyadic Formation Model. Challenges the validity of these models and discusses implications for future research. (JAC)

The purposes of this paper are to explore the major reasons for limited contraception practices for improving sex education. Three areas are identified for discussion: lack of information, cognitive-emotional development, and acceptance of sexuality. (Author)

Discusses Erikson's ideas on the importance of historical perspective in identity formation and values. Suggests the developmental processes at adolescence and the way in which the individual and society react and interact have implications for the transmission and nurturing of values by both individual adults and the collective society. (RC)

Two conflicting positions are reviewed: (1) adolescence is necessarily a time of turmoil; and (2) adolescence usually is not a time of turmoil. A step toward reconciliation of these opposing views is offered. (Author/DB)

Contends that, with childhood predispositions, developmental tasks of adolescence influence degree and course of homosexuality. Notes different types of homosexuality that emerge in adolescence which are influenced by different psychodynamic conditions in each stage of adolescence. Changing developmental roles in relation to individuation, object…

Media critics point to adolescents' exposure to "sexy" television and popular music. Developmental transitions lead to increased information seeking, and developmental tasks force adolescents to find information sources other than their parents, implying a link between sexy media and adolescent development. Media research informed by knowledge of…

Defines and describes the concept of social cognition and its relationship to various psychological positions. Outlines Selman's stage theory of social cognition and the influence of Piaget's theory. Issues of interpersonal understanding are related to concepts of the individual, friendship, peer group and parent-child relations. (JAC)

Relates resistance in adolescents to individual developmental issues and social context. Suggests viewing resistance as having a positive and protective function and working with the resistance rather than in opposition to it. A continuum of types of adolescent resistance is proposed with several specific interventional strategies for deactivating…

A review of the literature was conducted on two aspects of adolescent egocentrism: the imaginary audience and the personal fable. Results of the review yielded contradictory findings in most areas of the research. Reasons for these contradictions are explored, and suggestions for future research are presented. (Author)