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Adolescence: The Science of Becoming Me, image, image, image, image, image…
Adolescence: The Science of Becoming Me
Brain Development
Myelination
: Myelination is the process where nerve fibers get covered with a fatty layer called myelin, which helps electrical signals travel faster in the brain.
Synaptic Pruning
: The brain removes weak or unused connections between neurons to make thinking more efficient.
Prefrontal Cortex
: The prefrontal cortex is the front part of the brain that controls decision-making, planning, and self-control.
Reward System
: A group of brain structures that release dopamine to create feelings of pleasure and motivate behavior.
Identify Formation
Erikson's Stages
: During adolescence, people work to build a clear sense of who they are. They explore beliefs, values, and goals to form their own identity. If they can’t figure this out, they may feel lost or unsure about their future.
Marcia’s Statuses
: James Marcia expanded on Erikson’s ideas by showing that identity forms through exploration and commitment. He described four stages that show where a person might be in the process.
Identity Diffusion
: No exploration or commitment yet.
→ “I don’t really know what I want to do or who I want to be.”
Identity Foreclosure
: Commitment without exploring; following others’ expectations.
→ “My parents want me to be a doctor, so that’s what I’ll do.”
Identity Moratorium
: Active exploration but no final decision.
→ “I’m still figuring out what I want; trying new things helps me decide.”
Identity Achievement
: Exploration completed and personal commitment made.
→ “I’ve looked at my options and found what feels right for me. I'll go with psychology.”
Emerging Adulthood
Emerging Adulthood
: A life stage between ages 18–29 when people transition from adolescence to full adulthood, exploring who they are, what they want to do, and how they fit into the world.
Trait 1
: This stage is age of possibilities
Trait 2
: This stage is a time of instability; there are still struggles with one's identity
Modern Challenge
: Many people are delaying marriage and parenthood to focus on education, careers, or personal growth, which can make the transition to adulthood feel longer and more uncertain.
Connections to Me
Reward System:
“When I get a lot of likes on my post, I feel happy and want to keep checking my phone. Now I understand it’s because my brain releases dopamine, which makes me want that reward again.”
Identity Diffusion:
“I notice that sometimes I just go along with what my friends are doing instead of thinking about what I actually like. It connects to identity diffusion because I haven’t fully figured out my own interests yet.”
