Developments in
Adolescence
Prepared by: Mr. Jeremias A. Cenizal
Physical
Development in
Adolescence
Physical Growth in Adolescence
Adolescent Growth Spurt
-is a rapid increase in an individual’s height and weight
during puberty resulting from the simultaneous release of growth
hormones, thyroid hormones, and androgens. Males experience their
growth spurt about two years later than females.
- Before puberty, there are nearly no differences between
males and females in the distribution of fat and muscle.
- During puberty, males grow muscle much faster than
females, and females experience a higher increase in body fat.
-An adolescent’s heart and lungs increase in both size and
capacity during puberty; these changes contribute to increased
strength and tolerance for exercise.
Brain Growth in Adolescence
- The development of the frontal lobe, in
particular, is important during this stage. Adolescents
often engage in increased risk-taking behaviors and
experience heightened emotions during puberty; this
may be due to the fact that the frontal lobes of their
brains—which are responsible for judgment, impulse
control, and planning—are still maturing until early
adulthood
Brain Growth in Adolescence
Limbic System
- regulates emotion and reward
- linked to the hormonal changes
that occur at puberty
- related to novelty seeking and a
shift toward interacting with peers
Brain Growth in Adolescence
Prefrontal Cortex
- involved in the control of impulses, organization, planning, and
making good decisions, does not fully develop until the mid-20s
- the significant aspect of the later developing prefrontal cortex
and early development of the limbic system is the “mismatch” in timing
between the two. The approximately ten years that separates the
development of these two brain areas can result in risky behavior, poor
decision-making, and weak emotional control for the adolescent. When
puberty begins earlier, this mismatch extends even further
Neurotransmitter in Adolescence
Dopamine
- involved in reward circuits
- the brain’s sensitivity to dopamine peaks during puberty so the possible rewards on a dangerous task outweigh the risks.
- Adolescents respond especially strongly to social rewards during activities, and they prefer the company of others their
same age.
Oxytocin
-facilitates bonding and makes social connections
-With both dopamine and oxytocin engaged, it is no wonder that adolescents seek peers and excitement in their lives that
could end up actually harming them.
Physical Change
-Adolescence begins with the
in Adolescence
onset of puberty, a developmental period
in which hormonal changes cause rapid
physical alterations in the body,
culminating in sexual maturity. Although
the timing varies to some degree across
cultures, the average age range for
reaching puberty is between 9 and 14
years for girls and between 10 and 17
years for boys
Cognitive
Development in
Adolescence
Cognitive Development in
Adolescence
-During adolescence, teenagers move beyond concrete
thinking and become capable of abstract thought
-Teen thinking is also characterized by the ability to
consider multiple points of view, imagine hypothetical situations,
debate ideas and opinions (e.g., politics, religion, and justice), and
form new ideas. In addition, it’s not uncommon for adolescents to
question authority or challenge established societal norms.
-Cognitive empathy, also known as theory-of-mind,
which relates to the ability to take the perspective of others and
feel concern for others
Jean Piaget: Formal Operational Stage
of Cognitive Development
- During the formal operational stage, adolescents are able
to understand abstract principles. They are no longer limited by what
can be directly seen or heard, and are able to contemplate such
constructs as beauty, love, freedom, and morality.
- adolescents demonstrate hypothetical-
deductive reasoning, which is developing hypotheses based on what
might logically occur. They are able to think about all the possibilities
in a situation beforehand, and then test them systematically, because
they are able to engage in true scientific thinking.
Adolescent Egocentrism
- a heightened self-focus
- Once adolescents can understand abstract thoughts,
they enter a world of hypothetical possibilities and
demonstrate egocentrism
- The egocentricity comes from attributing unlimited
power to their own
- Piaget believed it was not until adolescents took on adult
roles that they would be able to learn the limits to their
own thoughts.
David Elkind on Adolescent
Egocentrism
- expanded on the concept of Piaget’s adolescent
egocentricity.
- theorized that the physiological changes that
occur during adolescence result in adolescents being
primarily concerned with themselves.
- since adolescents fail to differentiate between
what others are thinking and their own thoughts, they
believe that others are just as fascinated with their behavior
and appearance.
David Elkind on Adolescent
Egocentrism
Imaginary Audience - Belief
that those around them are as concerned
and focused on their appearance as they
themselves are
Personal Fable- belief that one is unique,
special, and invulnerable to harm. Elkind explains that
because adolescents feel so important to others (imaginary
audience) they regard themselves and their feelings as
being special and unique.
Socio-Emotional
Development in
Adolescence
Erik Erikson’s Identity vs Role
Confusion
- According to Erikson, an adolescent’s main task is
developing a sense of self.
- Adolescents struggle with questions such as
“Who am I?” and “What do I want to do with my life?”
- Along the way, most adolescents try on many
different selves to see which ones fit; they explore various
roles and ideas, set goals, and attempt to discover their
“adult” selves.
James Marcia’s Theory of Identity
Development
James Marcia expanded on
Erikson’s theory of identity
development by identifying four
identity statuses that describe
different ways adolescents navigate
the process of forming an identity.
Marcia's theory emphasizes the
combination of two key elements:
exploration (the process of exploring
different options or roles) and
commitment (the decision to commit
to certain values, beliefs, or roles).
Key Outcomes of Identity vs Role
Identity Achievement: TheConfusion
individual has
explored different options and committed to a set
of values and goals, developing a coherent sense
of self.
Identity Moratorium: The individual is still
exploring different roles and ideas but has not yet
committed to a stable identity.
Identity Foreclosure: The individual has
committed to an identity (often influenced by
others, such as parents) without much exploration.
Identity Diffusion: The individual has not
explored or committed to any identity and may
feel lost or unsure about their future
Religious Identity
Facets of Identity
The religious views of teens are often similar to that of their families Most teens may question specific customs, practices, or ideas in
the faith of their parents, but few completely reject the religion of their families.
Political Identity
The political ideology of teens is also influenced by their parents’ political beliefs. A new trend in the 21st century is a decrease in party
affiliation among adults. Many adults view themselves as more of an “independent”. Their teenage children are often following suit or
becoming more apolitical
Vocational Identity
Vocational identity takes longer to develop, as most of today’s occupations require specific skills and knowledge that will require
additional education or are acquired on the job itself.
Gender Identity
This is also becoming an increasingly prolonged task as attitudes and norms regarding gender keep changing. The roles appropriate for
males and females are evolving. Some teens may foreclose on a gender identity as a way of dealing with this uncertainty, and they may
adopt more stereotypic male or female roles
Relationship with Peers
Peers also serve as an important source of social
support and companionship during adolescence. As children
become adolescents, they usually begin spending more time
with their peers and less time with their families, and these
peer interactions are increasingly unsupervised by adults. The
level of influence that peers can have over an adolescent makes
these relationships particularly important in their personal
development. Adolescents with positive peer relationships are
happier and better adjusted than those who are socially isolated
or have conflictual peer relationships.
Relationship with Peers
Homophily – Associate with people similar
to us
Deviant peer contagion – Peers reinforce
problem behavior
Healthy peer relationships important for
well-being
Cliques – Groups of individuals who
interact frequently
Crowds – Groups characterized more by
shared reputations or images than actual
interactions
