RECAP
• Although the development of autonomy is an important psychosocial issue throughout the life
span, it is especially salient during adolescence because of the physical, cognitive, and social
changes of the period.
• Emotional autonomy (feeling independent) = emotional independence in relationships with
others, especially parents.
• Behavioural autonomy (acting independently) refers to the development of independent
decision-making abilities.
• Cognitive autonomy (thinking independently) concerns the development of independent
values, opinions, and beliefs.
RECAP
• Although adolescence historically has been viewed as a time during which individuals need to
break away from and rebel against their parents, research indicates that the growth of emotional
autonomy is typically smoother and less tumultuous than stereotypes suggest.
• Instead of emphasizing the young person’s need for detachment, contemporary psychologists
stress the more gradual process of individuation, which may be triggered by the physical and
cognitive changes of early adolescence.
• One of the first signs of individuation may be the adolescent’s de-idealization of his or her
parents.
• Healthy individuation is fostered by close, not distant, family relationships, in which
adolescents are encouraged to develop and assert their individuality.
• Adolescents who are raised in authoritative homes in which their parents are both accepting and
tolerant of the young person’s individuality enjoy many psychological advantages over their peers,
including a more fully developed sense of emotional autonomy.
• Although the development of autonomy is an important psychosocial issue throughout the life
span, it is especially salient during adolescence because of the physical, cognitive, and social
changes of the period.
• Emotional autonomy (feeling independent) = emotional independence in relationships with
others, especially parents.
• Behavioural autonomy (acting independently) refers to the development of independent
decision-making abilities.
• Cognitive autonomy (thinking independently) concerns the development of independent
values, opinions, and beliefs.
RECAP
• Although adolescence historically has been viewed as a time during which individuals need to
break away from and rebel against their parents, research indicates that the growth of emotional
autonomy is typically smoother and less tumultuous than stereotypes suggest.
• Instead of emphasizing the young person’s need for detachment, contemporary psychologists
stress the more gradual process of individuation, which may be triggered by the physical and
cognitive changes of early adolescence.
• One of the first signs of individuation may be the adolescent’s de-idealization of his or her
parents.
• Healthy individuation is fostered by close, not distant, family relationships, in which
adolescents are encouraged to develop and assert their individuality.
• Adolescents who are raised in authoritative homes in which their parents are both accepting and
tolerant of the young person’s individuality enjoy many psychological advantages over their peers,
including a more fully developed sense of emotional autonomy.
