Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood, beginning with adolescence and ending with social adulthood. Historically, psychologists have focused on childhood as the defining period of personality, but modern developmental perspectives emphasize that human growth and change occur throughout life, including adolescence Generally, the it gives youth a natural growth and confidence in life. In Western culture, adolescence can be a time of emotional upheaval, as described by G. Stanley Hall, who identified this phase as “stormy and stressful” but for many, adolescence as well is a time of energy, meaningful friendships, positive attitudes, and happy times possibilities.
By the end of this section, you should know about:
- Adolescence and Physical Development
- Cognitive and Moral Development
- Social development
- Parent and Peer Relationships
- Adolescence and peer influence
- Emerging adults
Let’s take a closer look at them.
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Adolescence and Physical Development
Puberty, the process of sexual maturation, begins with a rise in hormones, affecting not only physical development but emotional and psychological changes Although the timing of puberty and puberty in individuals though, it is clear that early or late maturity can have psychological consequences. Early maturity can give people more popularity and freedom, but it also increases the risk of risky behavior. For girls, early puberty can lead to problems such as not fitting in with their peers or facing ridicule and sexual harassment.
The teen’s brain also undergoes major changes. Prior to puberty, brain connectivity matures, followed by selective twisting during puberty, which separates neurons for efficiency. Myelin growth, which improves brain connectivity, helps teens improve judgment and emotional regulation as they grow older. However, the frontal cortex, the area of long-term organization and emotion regulation, generally develops and gives precedence to emotional judgment. This imbalance leads to risky behaviors and impulsive behaviors that are common in adolescence. Brain research suggests that this developmental delay helps explain why adolescents are able to engage in risky behavior even when they understand the risks. The brain matures in the mid-20s, improving cognitive regulation and decision-making.
Cognitive and Moral Development
Adolescents develop enhanced cognitive abilities, including the ability to think abstractly and reason in fantasy, as Jean Piaget described in his theory of operational strategy appropriately, they begin to consider public opinion and the shortcomings they see in their involvement in moral reasoning It occurs, as adolescents they struggle with questions of right and wrong and they develop their character. Kohlberg’s stages of moral development show how moral thinking shifted from self-interest to corresponding social norms, and finally to principles of justice and equality
However, moral reasoning is not just logical; Moral instincts—the automatic production of, and influenced by, fears about situations. For example, emotions such as disgust or pity are more likely to trigger moral judgments than subjective reasoning. This is particularly evident in ethical dilemmas where emotional reactions can influence decisions, such as the difference between pushing someone and pulling a lever to save others.
As teens develop, their moral actions are influenced not just by internal thought processes, but also by social environments. Programs that encourage community service can help teens develop a stronger sense of moral responsibility and competence. Additionally, the ability to delay gratification, or to resist immediate temptations for larger future rewards, is crucial for academic success and well-being.
Adolescence Social development
Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development emphasizes the central task of adolescence: the search for identity. Adolescents need to refine their past, present, and future identities to better understand who they are and what they represent. This process often involves the use of different personalities in different social situations. For many, resolving this search leads to a unified, stable sense of self. Though the struggle for identity can be more difficult in collectivist cultures. Where societal expectations may weigh more heavily on the individual.
Erikson’s theory also suggests that adolescence is a time to examine one’s purpose and values. Research has shown that adolescents with clear personalities report higher self-esteem and fewer depression issues. Self-image improves in late adolescence when many individuals seek new opportunities such as attending college or starting a career. Having a strong sense of identity can protect against issues such as alcohol abuse and promote emotional stability in adulthood.
Parent and Peer Relationships
Adolescence also brings changes in parental and peer relationships. Adolescents often distance themselves from their parents as they seek independence and search for their identity, leading to increased conflict over trivialities, especially chores and bedtime. For firstborns and those with close ties to their mothers, this transition can be especially difficult. Even so, the importance of family relationships remains strong, as adolescents continue to rely on their parents for support and guidance.
However, during adolescence, peer relationships become more important. Teens are happiest when they are with their friends, romantic relationships that can be emotionally intense are also a highlight of their life’s. High-quality relationships with peers and family lay the foundation for healthy romantic relationships, ultimately creating stable and fully adult relationships.
In conclusion, adolescence is a complex and dynamic stage of life, characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and social changes. While the challenges of this period, such as the search for identity and emotional turbulence, can be daunting, adolescence also offers exciting opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and forming meaningful relationships.
Adolescence and peer influence
Adolescence often involves a gradual shift in influence from parents to peers. One survey revealed that 85 percent of American parents say that they have had serious conversations with their children about illegal drugs. However, only 45 percent of teens can remember such conversations, indicating that many teens pay full or no attention to parental guidance. During this time, peer influence is more pronounced, and adolescents are often more concerned with immediate rewards than with long-term consequences. Their behavior is largely shaped by their social class, adopting the attitudes, language, and behaviors of their peers, sometimes more importantly than parental peer approval, and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the pressure of “what everyone is doing it.”
Social media play an important role in the formation of peer networks during adolescence. American teens are increasingly involved in texting and social networking, some sending as many as 60 texts a day, with an average of 300 Facebook friends These online platforms provide greater exposure, and opportunity good, such as participation in animal groups, is negative Danger is, such as the use of online predators or extremist groups such as social media as well highlight generational differences, as it typically takes about a year for parents to add their children to online trust groups Aside from social exclusion from peers, social discrimination can have emotional consequences that are difficult consequences, such as feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem and depression.
Adolescence: the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence.
Puberty: the period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing.
Identity: our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent’s task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles.
Social identity: the “we” aspect of our self-concept; the part of our answer to “Who am I?” that comes from our group memberships.
Intimacy: in Erikson’s theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary developmental task in young adulthood.
Emerging adulthood: a period from about age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults.
Emerging adults
Modern Western societies are experiencing a distinct phase of late teens to mid-twenties and full adulthood, commonly referred to as the emerging adults Historically, young people turn rapidly from adolescence to adulthood, and they are often adults activities such as marriage, employment and parenthood soon after sexual maturity But there was compulsory schooling and changes in socio-economic status, such as late marriage and financial independence, young adults are now taking longer to reach these milestones
The average age of first marriage in the U.S. is 18 years. has increased, young people under 30 have reached five traditional markers of adulthood (school completion, financial independence, leaving home, marriage, and children) and consequently the period between puberty and full adulthood has widened. Teenagers to mid-twenties are generally an uncertain time when many individuals may be in college or starting their careers but still living at home and relying on their parents for financial and emotional support in the US. The government welcomes these changes, keeping young people eligible 26 on their parents’ health insurance. This “intermediate” period represents another stage of life that differs from the traditional concept of adulthood.