Developmental Stages Of Adolescence

Adolescence is a developmental stage that involves various changes. Physical development, at the start of the adolescence, almost every part of the body undergoes some changes. It is triggered by hormonal changes that alter both the primary and secondary sex characteristics. Adolescence is also a stage that has been thought as period of “storm and stress”, a time of heightened emotional tension resulting from physical and physiological changes that are taking place in young adults. Emotions of the adolescence are described to be intense, uncontrolled, and seemingly irrational. The noted emotional tension of the adolescents in this stage could be attributed to the social conditions and pressures but adolescents who are properly guided are able

Because adults’ forms of cognition go beyond formal operations, there is an increase in knowledge, understanding, judgment, and reasoning. Adolescents are capable of thinking about highly complex and technical processes and problems and intellectually and socially relevant issues. According to Stenberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence, the experiential and contextual elements become more important during the stage of adolescence. It is not only physical, emotional, intellectual aspects that undergo changes but also social and moral dimensions. According to Kohlberg, moral development in adolescence is accompanied by cognitive maturation and depends principally on experience. There are two experiences that spur moral reasoning in young adults encountering conflicting values from home and being responsible for the welfare of others. The experience of the adolescents may lead to reevaluate their standards for what is right and

If an adolescent has a strong sense of personal identity, he or she will be able to achieve a greater sense of responsibility and self-confidence; consequently there is also an increment in the capacity for social development. Social relationships hold an important key in the transformation of an adolescent. The environment of the adolescents usually centers at home where they perceived their parents as self-emulating. Most young adults are involved with their peers, friends, and acquaintances. The adolescents’ developmental tasks are as follows: a) achieving new and mature relation with age-mates of both sexes, b) achieving a masculine or feminine social roles, c) accepting one’s physical and using one’s body effectively, d) desiring acceptance and achieving socially responsible behavior, e) achieving emotional independence from parents and adults, f) preparing for an economic career, g) preparing for marriage and family life, h) acquiring a set of values an ethical system as a guide to behavior-developing an ideology, and i) developing intellectual skills and concepts necessary for civic competence.

Adolescence is indeed a time for opportunity and risks. It provides an avenue for growth not only in physical dimensions but also in cognitive and social competence, autonomy, self-esteem, and intimacy. It is a time of changes and building more the