The developmental period of adolescence is explored in Swaziland from a multidisciplinary perspective. Study compares early anthropological research with contemporary interviews of Swazi parents. While the Swazi language has no term for "adolescent," there is evidence of a definite developmental period which could be defined as…

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…

Ascertained whether high levels of stress at different periods of development were related to an external locus of control. Externals and internals completed the Life Events Scale. Data indicated that stress, for females in preschool and pubescent years and males in elementary and pubescent years, is related to externality. (Author/BEF)

Assessed Type A behavior pattern for 122 teenagers who had heart rate measured during rest and presentation of mental arithmetic stressor under timed and competitive conditions. Examined whether sex, age, task performance, and behavior pattern predicted heart rate reactivitiy. Found no significant main effects for behavior pattern, sex, or age;…

Although many studies have described adolescents' sexual behavior and attitudes, there are little data available on the nature of the questions that occur to adolescents as they move toward maturity. A study was conducted to determine whether the questions children and adolescents ask reflect developmental differences in cognitive abilities and…

This study examined implicit theories of immaturity among 345 Canadian sixth- and ninth-graders. Qualitative analysis of adolescents' descriptions of an immature peer revealed six foci to implicit theories of immaturity. The majority of adolescents' descriptions focused on childlike behaviors, silly/goofy behaviors, or on mean/hurtful behaviors.…

A number of interacting factors are discussed which significantly influence the development and expression of adolescent sexuality, including: (1) biological development; (2) societal trends; (3) psychological aspects; (4) familial patterns; and (5) historical and political influences. Adolescent cognitive development and psychoanalytic theories…

Focal theory is a framework for looking at psychosocial and leisure transitions in middle and later adolescence. Using cross-sectional survey data, found few gender differences in age-related relational transitions, but gender differences were apparent in shifting focuses of leisure involvement with age. Findings suggest a linkage between…

Assessed identification with same-sex parent and decision-making style for late adolescents classified by Marcia's (1964) criteria as identity achieved, foreclosed, moratorium, or diffused. Foreclosed subjects were more impulsive, male moratorium subjects more reflective, female moratoriums more impulsive, and diffuseds more reflective, than…

As a result of discussions at a 1983 Social Science Research Council meeting, a study group was convened to bring together all the professionals currently examining maturation timing. This interdisciplinary group reports findings in two issues of this journal, and its work is introduced in this paper. (LMO)

Explores biological and sociocultural elements as functional determinants of self-esteem that are dependent upon gender and developmental stage. Findings indicate self-esteem of early adolescent girls depends upon parental support, but for boys it depends upon a sense of mastery. In later adolescence a sense of mastery becomes important to both…

A questionnaire attempting to define adolescence from the adolescent's view was administered to 300 students, 50 males and 50 females in each of 3 grades (grades 6, 9, and 12). The questionnaire examined (1) ages perceived as dividing points between adolescence, childhood and adulthood; (2) tasks seen as most important in advancing from one period…

Investigated the relationship between the development of formal operations and the formation of ego identity in adolescence. Obtained significant positive correlations between combinatorial ability and degree of identity, suggesting that high identity may facilitate the application of combinatorial operations. Found some gender differences in task…

Discusses the concept of egocentrism and its relation to cognitive development. Describes the major stages of egocentrism: sensori-motor, preoperational, concrete operational, and adolescent egocentrism. Focuses on research support for the theory of adolescent egocentrism. Discusses educational implications. (RC)

Examines development of the concept of commitment in relation to adolescents' choice of a career and romantic partner. Subjects were 163 male and female ninth graders, twelfth graders, and college juniors from public and private schools. Findings support the proposition that the concept of commitment is affected by grade, gender, and type of…