Early adolescents' conceptions of the good life and the good person.
Twenty-five (N = 25) early adolescents were asked to describe their conceptions of the good life and a good person. Analysis of their responses revealed that sixth and ninth graders see care and support from friends and family as requisite components of the good life. Having material comforts, being happy, and achieving personal goals were also important, as were staying out of trouble and helping others. Treating others well was necessary for one to be considered a good person. Good people, according to these youths, also acted in genuine or authentic ways. Adolescents' views of the good life were compared with Benson's building blocks of healthy development. While the two notions were not identical, these early adolescents' conceptions mapped onto the categories of assets in all but one area. While Benson believes that responsibility to and respect from one's community is essential for healthy development, early adolescents did not find it requisite for the good life or good person. Implications of the difference are explored.
Bronk
Kendall Cotton
KC
Educational Psychology, Ball State University, TC room 520, Muncie IN 47306, USA. kcbronk@bsu.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001290:Attitude; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult