PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWER
“PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS”
 Adolescent aim to develop different kinds of
relationship. They are in the stage where in they
are beginning to develop their sense of
belongings.
 Adolescents’ personal relationship include with
the family, with new social groupings, and with a
significant other.
 During the adolescent stage, conflicts are
beginning to arise between the parents and the
adolescent.
 The Adolescents’ personal relationship with new
social groupings is also important as it is highly
characterized by interaction.
 However, interactions with larger groups can
help him establish his sexuality and his sexual
preferences.
 He also begins to decide to do what he thinks is
right despite of peer pressure.
 As an Adolescent is forming new social groups,
he also develops a new kind of values system
that is related to determining how are the
acceptable and the unacceptable members of
each social group.
Conditions that can contribute to the acceptance or
to rejection in adolescence:
 Acceptance Syndrome
1. Favorable first impression due to physical
attractiveness, poise and cheerfulness.
2. Reputation as being a good sport and is fun to be
with.
3. The appearance that conforms with peers.
4. Social behaviour characterized by
cooperativeness, responsibility, resourcefulness,
interest in others, tact, and good manners.
5. Maturity evident in emotional control and
willingness to conform to rules and regulations.
6. Personality traits that lead to good social
adjustments, including truthfulness, sincerity,
unselfishness, and extraversion.
7. The socioeconomic status that is equal to or
slightly above their peers and a good
relationship with family members.
8. Geographic proximity with peers to allow
frequent contact and participation in a group
activities
 Alienation Syndrome
1. Unfavourable first impression due to
unattractiveness, being aloof and being self-
centered.
2. Reputation as a poor sport.
3. The appearance that does not conform to group
standards of physical attractiveness and
grooming.
4. Social behaviour characterized by showing off,
teasing, and bullying others, bossiness,
uncooperativeness and lack of tact.
5. Lack of maturity, particularly in the display of
handling emotions, poise, self-confidence, and
tact.
6. Irritating personality traits like selfishness,
stubbornness, resentfulness, nervousness, and
irritability.
7. Geographic isolation from peers or unavailability
due to family responsibilities and part time jobs.
During the teenage years, adolescent will develop
an interest with the opposite sex.
 Courtship and dating become important patterns
of behaviour that one may engage in.
 Dating and courtship are often romanticized and
coloured with unrealism or may also be
sexualized depending on the culture one belongs.
 Dating is the behavior allows these young people
to get to know and impress each other, spend
time together, and have fun.
 The act of courtship and dating happens at the
same time when one begins to explore his
sexuality.
In order to become attracted to people and for
people become attracted also one’s self, Myers
(2010) provided the following concepts.
1. Proximity – If a person spends time with
someone, the probability that one will be
attracted to the opposite sex increases.
a) Interaction: If one is given a lot of time to
talk with someone, whether by chance or by
requirements.
 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
REVIEWER

b) The expectation of interaction: If somebody

knows for a fact that he will be seeing a
person and will have to talk to him over and
over again.

c) Mere exposure effect: Even if a person is not

personally dealing with someone.

2. Physical attractiveness – The primary sensory

organ of a person is the eyes.

3. Similarity and Complementarity – When a person

has the same preferences as that of the others,
it will easier to him to like the other.

4. Like those who like himself – When somebody

finds that someone like him, he begins to
wonder why and he also gets intrigued to know
that person.

Based on Robert Sternbergs’ Triangulation Theory of

Love, Myers provided definitions on the different
types of love. These are:

1. Passionate Love – This love is characterized by a

state of intense longing for union with another.
2. Companionate Love – This is the affection that
one feels for people who are closest to him.
3. Romantic Love – This love is a combination of
intimacy and passion.

According to Hurlock, the following are the reasons

why adolescents would go on the date and how
each should act in order for these reasons to be true.

1. Recreation – In dating, it is important that a

person is having fun. Dating should not
considered as an obligation.

2. Socialization – Whether in groups or on exclusive

date, dating requires social skills.

3. Status – Dating can somehow define the position

of a teenager in their social groups.

4. Courtship – Dating is a natural part of courtship

and a traditionally accepted activity for teens.

5. Mate selection – Dating gives adolescent an idea

about the opposite sex.