Adolescence On Film Assignment
Part I- Erikson (10 points)
Erikson argued that the major crisis of adolescence was identity formation. The struggle rests with our desire to be an individual on one hand and to conform on the other.
You must identify five (5) quotes from the movie that support either or both sides of the above struggle, and justify. Who is the speaker and what is the meaning of what is being said? How does the quote illustrate individuality or conformity?
Part II- Marcia (20 points)
James Marcia expanded Erikson’s ideas of identity formation and said we may develop one of four distinct identity status- diffused, moratorium, foreclosed, achieved.
Using examples from the movie, identify one example of each of Marcia’s 4 stages of identity status. Identify the character, the crisis (if present) and the commitment (if present). You may use a quote to illustrate your point. You must be as specific as possible in explaining why you think this individual illustrates this identity status.
Part III- Baumrind (5 points)
Diana Baumrind classified four types of parenting styles – authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent, and neglectful.
Which of Baumrind’s parenting styles is presented in the film? Identify the child and parents and two (2) specific examples of characteristics of that style. How are (un)responsiveness and (un)demandingness displayed?
Part IV- Kohlberg (5 points)
Lawrence Kohlberg theorized on moral development and what a person weighs when making moral choices at different levels.
Choose any character from the movie and identify a dilemma they face and describe how they resolve it. Explain at what stage of moral development their decision places them and justify.
Part V- Choice (10 points)
Gender - Choose a character and discuss how their gender is a benefit or detriment to their identity formation. Does the character portray traditional sex roles (standards of behavior for given sexual identity), provide examples of behaviors/statements from the film that justify your answer.
Peer Pressure – There are a tremendous amount of pressures facing teens today, including the decisions to use drugs and alcohol as well as to become sexually active. Often they receive conflicting messages from the media, their peers, and their parents. Identify in detail two (2) different examples of pressures facing any of these teen characters. Explain how they handled the pressure and whether or not they are content with their decisions.
Cliques and Crowds- Adolescent groups arrange themselves into a social hierarchy. Cliques tend to be 5-7 people of the same sex and crowds are heterosexual groupings of 2-4 cliques. While they offer security and promote socialization, they can also foster conformity, display prejudice, cause friction with parents, and damage self-esteem when rejection occurs. Identify the social hierarchy of groups in the film. Choose a character and identify examples of the positive and negative effects these groups have on teenagers.