Addresses issue of socialization of the young for participation in society by viewing the family as a micro-society. Congruence between family themes and societally shared meanings is considered, utilizing ideas from the social construction of reality theories of Berger and Luckmann (1966). Three ideal-types of family themes are developed relative…

Describes examples of adolescent behavior which parents and school personnel find obnoxious. Explains why intelligent, reasonable, and well-adjusted teenagers periodically behave in this way, as something that is developmentally inevitable given the uneven development of competencies in several important areas. Adolescent incompetencies in four…

Reviews three existing sequential models of mate selection: Kerckhoff and Davis' Filter Model, Murstein's Stimulus-Value-Role Model, and Lewis's Premarital Dyadic Formation Model. Challenges the validity of these models and discusses implications for future research. (JAC)

Examined gender differences in effects of menarche in females and voice change in males, specifically with regard to depression, self-esteem, body image, and externalizing problems. Analyses indicated prepubertal males had more externalizing problems and females increased in depression, externalizing problems, and negative body image post…

Examines the relationship between adolescent egocentrism and postformal thinking in 163 college undergraduates. Uses the Imaginary Audience Scale and the Social Paradigm Belief Inventory to evaluate participants. Results indicate that females have higher levels of adolescent egocentrism than do males. (Author/GCP)

Investigated relationship of educational level and marital status of parents, number of children in family, and family stability to social, emotional, and academic development of college-bound high school sophomores (n=52). Found significant differences in autonomy, initiative, ego integrity, guilt, isolation, academic interest, study methods,…