Places concept of developmental tasks within cultural context, discussing role of "cultural-developmental" tasks in development and modification of adolescent's social-cognitive functioning and the respective roles of both individual and contextual-environmental factors in production of competencies. Outlines theory including individual's activity…

This document discusses whether young people with difficulty entering adulthood can be helped, or if accumulated effects of various adversitites have caused irremediable damage. First the developmental tasks that adolescents need to accomplish before they can take on adult roles are described. Next, two well-known explanations for youths' failure…

Although the structure of modern society has both prolonged adolescence and exacerbated some of its tasks and challenges, the majority of adolescents successfully negotiate this period and mature in a relatively healthy manner. Nevertheless, significant numbers of adolescents find the challenges overwhelming, experience great conflict, and wind up…