Adolescence is defined as the period between the ages of 10 and 20, characterized by changes in a whole series of physical, psychological, emotional and social, the achievement and resolution of which will end with the adolescent's entry into life adult.
In this Psychology-Online article you will find the stages of adolescence and characteristics of every one of them. We will also talk about theories about adolescence, the definition established by the World Health Organization.
G. Stanley Hall he is considered the forerunner of the study of adolescence for his two volumes written on the subject: Adolescence. According to the author, personal development was conditioned by genetically determined physiological factors. However, he recognized that in adolescence the influence of the environment was important. He recognized this period as a turbulent times that the adolescent experiences as a new birth as a biological and social being.
Based on this approach, the theories that study adolescence are grouped into three groups depending on which aspects consider that they are more decisive in the development of this period: internal factors, cognitive factors or external factors or environment.
Psychoanalytic theories
Psychoanalytic or dynamic theories consider that the internal aspects are those that mainly shape the development of adolescence. According to these approaches, this stage begins with the resurgence of the sexual drive, asleep during second childhood, and leading to puberty. This awakening of energy causes an imbalance that will cause changes on many levels in the adolescent (physical, psychological and emotional). The transition through these processes of change and the progressive recovery of equilibrium throughout the three stages of this period will give rise to the birth of a new being, with values, attitudes and life projects that will guide their entry into life adult.
Cognitive theories
Piaget is the author of reference in these theories. In them, adolescence is considered as an interaction between individual and social factors. Important changes occur at the cognitive level, associated with processes of insertion in adult society. They progressively develop formal thinking that enables them to reason autonomously and critically that will apply in their adult life.
Here you will find in greater depth Piaget's theory of cognitive development.
Sociological theories
According to these approaches, adolescence is attributed mainly to social factors, external to the individual. Adolescents must consummate the process of socialization through incorporation of social values and the adoption of certain roles. If you are interested in the subject, you can read this article about moral values.
According to the WHO, adolescence is the period that covers from 10 to 19 years old and that begins with puberty.
The most important changes that occur during adolescence are:
- on a physical level: puberty and sexual maturity
- psychological: development of formal thought and search for personal identity. Here you can find more information about the psychological changes in adolescence.
- emotional: emotional conflicts and their resolution as a consequence of the changes experienced
- social: consolidation of the process of socialization and development of new relationships
Adolescence is divided into 3 stages:
- Early adolescence: this first stage begins at the age of 10 or 11 and lasts until the age of 13, approximately.
- Middle adolescence: this stage of adolescence includes ages 14 to 17.
- Late adolescence: the last stage of adolescence ranges from 17 to 19 years, approximately, since it can be extended to 21 years.
Early adolescence comprises the first period of adolescence and begins with puberty around the age of 10 or 11. This stage is characterized by being the beginning of the changes that will take place at various levels:
- At the physical level, a great variety of hormonal changes and physical and sexual growth (height, bone mass, size of different organs and systems, widening of the pelvis in women and shoulders in men, development of sexual differentiation, etc.)
- On a psychological level, the development of formal thought. Due to this new way of processing his information, the adolescent stops identifying with childhood but is not yet accepted as an adolescent.
- At the social level, it suffers a great social imbalance as a consequence of all the changes that have been initiated.
- On an emotional level, adolescents can suffer many emotional conflicts due to the situation they are going through at this stage. The family becomes a fundamental pillar to accompany the uncertainty that this period entails.
This period begins around the age of 14 and is characterized by the fact that the adolescent begins to replace the relationship with her parents, as reference models, by the relationship with your reference group. In this period, the elderly tend to be conflicts with the family, a result of this de-identification together with the appearance of risk behaviors caused by the influence of peer groups. In the following article you will find sample solutions for family conflicts.
The physical, psychological and emotional changes are not so abrupt at this stage.
The late adolescence It occurs from the age of 17 to approximately 21. In this stage, the adolescent gradually regains balance through acceptance, assimilation and resolution of the changes and conflicts experienced. In this way:
- On a physical level, the changes are remarkably reduced and they reach biological maturity.
- On a psychological level: new information processing capacities are acquired through the development of autonomous and critical thinking that will allow them to function in their adult life. On the other hand, the adolescent manages to integrate a new image of himself, of others and of the world.
- On an emotional level, manages to manage his emotions in a much more effective way.
- At the social level, the socialization process is consolidated through which the adolescent acquires new values, attitudes and roles that will guide your steps in your adult life.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
