Roberts, M.K. / Published 1992 / Article
Click here for full text (in PDF format)...
Citation: Roberts, M.K. (1992). On the Outside Looking In: A Conceptualization of Adolescence. In M.K. Roberts, & R.M. Bergner, (Eds.). Clinical Topics: Contributions to the Conceptualization and Treatment of Adolescent-Family Problems, Bulimia, Chronic Mental Illness, and Mania. Advances in Descriptive Psychology, Vol. 6 (pp. 79-105). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide a fundamental formulation of the
phenomenon of adolescence. In order to achieve this aim, the concepts of status,
rational behavior, and status change are presented. In light of these concepts,
adolescence may be described in terms of the development of adult competence. A person paradigmatically develops from being a very limited individual (i.e., a child), in need of help from others to make appropriate choices, into a competent adult,
capable of making effective discriminations, evaluations, and decisions on his or her own. Adolescence may also be described as a time of status change. A person
develops from a child whose primary status is in the family into an adult who can take his or her place in society.