Discuss one example of psychological research (theory or study) into adolescence.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of one theory or one study related to adolescence.

Relevant theories may include, but are not limited to:

• Erikson’s identity theory
• Coleman’s focal theory
• Baethge’s cultural theory
• Lewin’s field theory.

Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:

• Marcia’s studies on the different types of identity status
• Mead’s anthropological studies
• Rutter et al.’s studies on the relationships between adolescents and their parents
• Steinberg’s studies on parent-adolescent conflicts
• Condon’s (1987) study challenging the cross-cultural validity of Erikson’s theory
• Ferron’s (1997) cross-cultural study on body image in adolescence
• studies related to teenage brain development.

Discussion of the research may include, but is not limited to:

• appropriateness of concepts in explaining adolescence
• problems in explaining individual differences
• cultural and gender considerations
• methodological considerations
• supporting and contradicting evidence
• the productivity of the theory in generating psychological research
• the applications of the research
• stage versus continuous development.

If a candidate discusses more than one theory or study, credit should be given only to the first theory or study. However, candidates may address other theories or studies and be awarded marks for this as long as these theories or studies are clearly used to discuss the main theory or study addressed in the response.