Adolescence
Learning Outcomes
• By the end of the lecture, and with additional reading, students should: - be able to articulate the two system hypothesis - be aware of the evidence in support of differential rates of maturation in the socio-emotional and cognitive control systems - be aware of the theoretical implications of differential rates of maturation in the socio-emotional and cognitive control systems
PY0004 Chris Pawson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QNO9xDADB 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbsQKd9ELf4&f eature=related
Studying Adolescence
• Study of adolescent thinking dominated by Piagetian theory until the 1980s • Accepted by most textbooks but not empirically testable • Search for framework of understanding for 25 years • Conventional models of adolescent thinking do not adequately account for adolescent behaviour
A puzzle to ponder….
• Research clearly shows that, by age 16, individuals show adult levels of performance on tasks of basic information processing and logical reasoning • But in real world situations adolescents show poorer judgment than adults
APA Perspectives on Abortion and Juvenile Culpability
Hodgson vs Minnesota (APA Amicus brief to court) By age 14 most adolescents have developed adult-like intellectual and social capabilities including specific abilities outlined in the law as necessary for understanding treatment alternatives, considering risks and benefits, and giving legally competent consent
Roper vs Simmons (APA Amicus brief to court)
Given that 16- and 17-year olds as a group are less mature developmentally than adults, imposing capital punishment on such adolescents does not serve the judicially recognised purposes of the sanction
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25/02/2011
A Bad Press for the APA
• Scalia on Psychologists The APA which claims in this case that scientific evidence show persons under 18 lack the ability to take moral responsibility for their decsisions, has previously taken precisely the