Teenage Behavior, Essay Example

Teenagers are very much motivated by aspects of group behaviour. This is often geared towards aspects of self-acceptance into group situations. Although these can be positive traits, they are often mostly negative and can become somewhat destructive.  This can be particularly dangerous with cult groups that have suicidal tendencies, are involved with substance abuse or alcohol.  (Murphy, 1999). There are numerous cases of teenagers that have become unwilling victims in this regard and have bent to peer pressure. The danger of joining gangs is another danger, particularly in American Society, and this is often associated with areas of poverty and the less equipped areas of education in large urban Cities.

Adolescent theories of development may have started as far back as Plato in Ancient Greece. He stated that young boys were too excitable and should not be allowed to consume wine until 18 years of age.  Aristotle considered young people to be moody, self-centered and driven by their passions.  G.Stanley Hall developed his great work in 1904 and was amongst the first to probe into adolescent psychology.  (Adams, 2000).

It was Eric Erikson who developed one of the leading theories in personality development, within the field of psychology. His theory had similarities to the views expressed by Sigmund Freud who also believed that personality developed in stages. At the core of Erikson’s theories were that of ‘ego identity’ and our personal sense of self-awareness obtained through social interaction. (Harder, 2011)

He also maintained that our competence was influenced in motivating our behaviours and actions. The concept of managing this stage efficiently he referred to as ‘ego strength’ or ‘ego quality’. Erikson pointed out that each stage people experienced conflict in the development of quality. Erikson defined 8 stages of personality development as set out in the table below. (Cherry, K.  2011)

Source :  (Cherry, Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages Summary Chart, 2010)

Works Cited

Adams, G. R. (2000). Adolescent development: the essential readings. In G. R. Adams, Adolescent development: the essential readings (pp. 11-13). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Inc.

Cherry, K. (2010). Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages Summary Chart. Retrieved 4 17, 2010, from about.com: http://psychology.about.com/library/bl_psychosocial_summary.htm

Cherry, K. (2011). Eriksons Psychological Stages. Retrieved 5 31, 2011, from About.com: http://psychology.about.com/library/bl_psychosocial_summary.htm

Harder, A. (2011). Developmental stages of Eric Erikson. Retrieved 5 31, 2011, from Learning places online: http://www.learningplaceonline.com/stages/organize/Erikson.htm

Murphy, J. M. (1999). Coping with teen suicide. In J. M. Murphy, Coping with teen suicide (pp. 49-51). New York : Rosen Publishing Group.