PSY-357 – Lifespan Development

Topic 5 – CLC: Media Portrayal of Adolescence

Student: [Your name]
Show Chosen: Stranger Things (Netflix)

Core traits: Curious, adventurous, intensely loyal to friends, imaginative/problem-solving, emotionally reactive under stress.
Social world: Strong peer bonds (the boys’ D&D group), shifting alliances, budding romantic interests (Mike–Eleven, Nancy–Steve/Jonathan), and conflicts with authority (parents, police, school).
Developmental tasks shown:
- Identity exploration (who am I in my friend group? am I “brave,” “smart,” “popular”?).
- Autonomy vs. dependence (sneaking out, keeping secrets vs. needing adult help).
- Moral reasoning (risking punishment to protect a friend).
Contextual stressors: Family strain (divorce, grief), bullying (school), and community-level threat (mysterious disappearances).

Balanced, leaning positive.
- Positive: Courage, loyalty, ingenuity, persistence, empathy (especially toward Eleven).
- Negative/realistic: Impulsivity, secrecy, occasional deception of adults, susceptibility to peer pressure.
- Why “balanced”: The show highlights teens’ strengths while acknowledging limitations typical of early–mid adolescence (e.g., underestimating danger).

Yes, some stereotypes appear—but they’re nuanced.
- Stereotypes present: The nerdy D&D kids; the popular cheerleader/athlete crowd; the aloof older teen; the “troubled” girl with a secret past.
- Nuance/complexity: Characters violate simple boxes (e.g., Nancy is academically driven and socially engaged; Steve evolves from “popular jock” to a caring protector; the “nerds” are resourceful leaders). The show often subverts clichés by giving teens agency and growth arcs.

Qualified yes, with supervision/context.
- Positive modeling: Teamwork, critical thinking, standing up to bullies, loyalty to friends, perseverance in crises.
- Concerns: Risk-taking without adult input, lying to caregivers, exposure to violence/scary content.
- Bottom line: As role models, they demonstrate admirable social–emotional skills, but younger viewers need adult guidance to discuss safety, honesty, and seeking help.

Largely yes (for psychosocial development), despite the supernatural setting.
- Accurate:
  - Heightened importance of peers and belonging.
  - Identity formation and experimentation.
  - Friction with parents as autonomy grows.
  - Bullying and social hierarchy in middle/high school.
- Stylized/less typical: The extreme danger and secret-government elements are fantasy; however, the emotional truths (fear, loyalty, grief, first love) map well onto real adolescent experiences.

Yes—developmental progression is visible across seasons (2016 → 2022/2025).
- Early seasons (S1–S2): Focus on middle-school dynamics—friend-group cohesion, bullying, parental monitoring, concrete problem-solving.
- Later seasons (S3–S4): Transition to high school—greater emphasis on romantic/sexual identity, status, part-time jobs, and widening peer networks; more complex moral dilemmas and independence.
- Tone shift: Stakes and horror elements intensify as characters age; decision-making shows more planning and sacrifice, mirroring advances in executive function and abstract reasoning.
- Implication for lifespan development: The series illustrates normative developmental tasks (autonomy, identity, intimacy) unfolding over time, with context (family/community stressors) shaping outcomes. APA