Please read pages 109 – 110 for Kohlberg and Gilligan, then pages 95 – 100 for Erikson’s
psychosocial dilemmas at different stages of life. Read pages 457 – 458 for readings on Suicide.
Coon et al. (2022) discuss the difficulties teenagers face in establishing their own identity, many problems
stem from the unclear standards about the role adolescents should play within society. Coon et al. (2022)
also explains that teenagers experience ambiguity, or unclear interpretations when defining their roles. This
adds to their confusion of a clear and solid sense of self.
More and more often we are seeing cases presented in the media about teens who have taken their own lives
as a result of bullying and cyberbullying (Wang, 2016). Coon et al. (2022) have argued that adolescence is a
tumultuous time. However, Karen Horney’s theory explains that basic anxiety occurs because we live in a
hostile world. An example in Wang (2016), report of a suicide by a 13-year-old girl in response to racial and
social prejudice against perceived sexual orientation.
How much does emotional turbulence versus social hostility count as an explanation for teen
suicide? Or is it a combination of the two?
Drawing upon Kohlberg’s theory of stages of moral development, Gilligan’s theory of caring, and
Erikson’s psychosocial stages theory, discuss reasons why an adolescent might turn to suicide.
Using one of these theories, suggest how to help a teen who has been a victim of bullying.
