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Section 2:1
Growth Patterns
Section 2:2
Your Personality
Key Questions
Questions to answer as you study this chapter:
• What choices can help teens reach physical,
intellectual, social, and emotional maturity?
• How can people develop strength in
character?
• How can teens develop a healthy
personality?
Chapter Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to
describe physical, intellectual, social, and
emotional growth patterns of teens.
determine factors that influence character
development.
identify factors that influence personality
formation.
explain how personality is related to self-
concept, temperament, and human needs.
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Life Sketch
Janine stares into space, wishing she could skip
gym class. Today the class will be swimming, and
she can’t bear the thought of wearing a swimsuit in
front of her classmates. “They’ll see how awful I look
and laugh at me!” she says to herself.
She notices Rhonda is already in her swimsuit.
Kim, also in her swimsuit, catches up with Rhonda.
“Wow, they both look great,” Janine thinks.
Janine slowly changes into her swimsuit. A
feeling of discomfort grips Janine as the bell rings.
She takes one last look at herself in the mirror and
realizes it’s time to face her peers.
Getting Started
Most young people have fears about being
different from others. They are afraid they will be
rejected or laughed at by their peers.
When you look at your peers, you rate yourself
by what you see in them. Compared to others, you
may say “I’m too fat (or thin).” “I’m too tall (or short).”
“Parts of me are too big (or too small).” These
differences in development compared to your peers
can be a concern to you.
This concern can make the process of growing
seem complex. However, learning more about
your own unique growth and development patterns
can help you understand yourself. As you grow to
maturity, there are certain patterns of development
you will follow.