CHAPTER 10 INTIMACY

1. What is an INTIMATE relationship? How are close relationships different for children and adolescents? What developmental changes account for adolescents' increased capacity for intimacy?

2. Describe SULLIVAN'S general theory of interpersonal development. How do interpersonal relationships and challenges change from pre-adolescence to late adolescence? What are the outcomes for the adolescent if he or she is able to negotiate these changes successfully?

3. How does ERIKSON view the relationship between identity development and the capacity for intimacy? How are Erikson and Sullivan DIFFERENT in this regard? Research attempting to test these two views have been inconclusive. How may these "conflicting" perspectives be resolved? (Hint: gender differences; focus on different aspects of intimacy)

4. What is an ATTACHMENT relationship? What are the different TYPES of attachment?

5. What are the two PROCESSES by which early attachments influence adolescents' capacity for intimate relationships? What is the INTERNAL WORKING MODEL?

6. What are the defining features of adolescents' CONCEPTIONS of friendship, that differentiate them from children's conceptions?

7. What are the changes in the DISPLAY or EXPRESSION of intimacy in close friendships from childhood to adolescence?

8. Describe the changes in intimacy with parents, close friends, and romantic partners from late childhood to adulthood. Who are pre-adolescents most intimate with? What about late adolescents? Do parents become unimportant or less significant sources of intimacy and emotional support in adolescence? What supports your answer?

9. How are intimate relationships with parents and peers different? In what ways do these different relationships both contribute to adolescent development?

10. Why are MIXED-SEX friendships extremely rare during pre- and early adolescence? When do mixed-sex relationships begin to develop? How would you describe these early stages of mixed-sex relationships?

11. What are the positive effects of having close friendships? (Come up with three main ones.) What are some of the negative effects?

12. At what stage in adolescence, and in what situations, are adolescents most likely to experience LONELINESS? Why is this so? What factors would most likely ease loneliness among adolescents?

13. Sullivan viewed relationships between boyfriends and girlfriends as a context in which intimacy is expressed, rather than learned. How may this be different for boys and for girls?

14. Does dating contribute to the development of intimacy in early adolescence? Why or why not? What are the consequences of early, intense dating among adolescent girls?

15. What is the function and significance of dating in modern times, as opposed to about 40 years ago?

16. What is the current trend in marriage among adolescents? What are the factors that account for higher marital instability in teen marriages?

17. From the BOX in p.310-311: What is the Q-SORT procedure for studying adolescent attachment? From Kobak's research, what are the three types of adolescent attachment? How are they different from each other?

18. From the BOX in p.324-325: What are some GENDER DIFFERENCES in the expression of intimacy? Do these differences indicate that males are less capable of intimacy in their friendships? Justify your answer. How do SEX ROLES and SOCIAL PRESSURES lead to these differences in boys' and girls' expressions of intimacy in friendships?