Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

D I V E R S I T Y
Rites of Passage: Coming of Age 
Around the World
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R E C A P / E V A L U A T E / R E T H I N K
K E Y T E R M S 
R E C A P 
What major physical, social, and cognitive transitions charac-
terize adolescence?
• Adolescence, the developmental stage between child-
hood and adulthood, is marked by the onset of puberty, 
the point at which sexual maturity occurs. The age at 
which puberty begins has implications for the way 
people view themselves and the way others see 
them. (p. 412)
• Moral judgments during adolescence increase in sophis-
tication, according to Kohlberg’s three-level model. 
Although Kohlberg’s levels provide an adequate de-
scription of males’ moral judgments, Gilligan suggests 
that women view morality in terms of caring for individ-
uals rather than in terms of broad general principles of 
justice. (p. 414)
• According to Erikson’s model of psychosocial develop-
ment, adolescence may be accompanied by an identity 
crisis. Adolescence is followed by three more stages of 
psychosocial development that cover the remainder 
of the life span. (p. 416)
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 
adolescents. (p. 418)
E VA LU AT E
1.
is the period during which the sexual organs 
begin to mature.
2. Delayed maturation typically provides both males and 
females with a social advantage. True or false?
adolescence p. 412
puberty p. 413
identity-versus-role-
confusion stage p. 416