Examine the relationship between physical change and development of identity during adolescence.

Refer to the paper 2 markbands when awarding marks.

The command term “examine” requires candidates to uncover the assumptions and interrelationships between physical change and identity development during adolescence.

Relevant content may provide an outline of the emergence of primary and secondary sexual characteristics then show how that affects identity formation during adolescence, such as:

• Simmons and Blyth (1987) – the cultural ideal hypothesis
• Ferron (1997) - cultural differences in the way adolescents view bodily changes
• Mead’s cross-cultural theory
• studies on the timing of puberty and its impact on body image, self-esteem and behaviour: Brooks-Gunn and Paikoff (1993); Blyth, Bulcroft and Simmons (1981); Jones (1965).

The examined points may include, but are not limited to:

• the difficulty of generalizing the psychological effects of physical changes – they depend on the timing of puberty and they differ in boys and girls
• the development of identity is influenced by the interaction of biological, cognitive and social factors and is not dominated by biology
• culture is also a strong determinant in self-perception and body shape perception
• researchers have expressed doubt that puberty’s effects on development of identity are as strong as once believed.

The answer should focus on the link between physical changes and identity development. It should examine the fact that physical changes have psychological ramifications that contribute to an adolescent’s sense of self.

If a candidate only addresses development of identity or only addresses physical change in adolescence, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [4] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [3] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.