Adolescents - Developmental and Psychological Characteristics of Adolescents

Developmental (Physical , emotional and intellectual) and Psychological Characteristics of Adolescents

1. A dolescents Suresh B abu G Assistant Professor CTE CPAS Paippad

2. Adolescence The English word “ adolescence ” comes from the Latin word “ adolescere ” which means to “ grow to maturity ” Adolescence is the span of year during which boys and girls move from childhood to adulthood mentally, emotionally, socially and physically. It is the period of development from the onset of puberty to the age of maturity.

3. It is a period of transition when changes of attitude and behavior are most rapid. Stanley Halls called this the period of great stress and strain, storm and strife. Holling Worth Calls this the period of temporary insanity

4. Characteristics of Adolescence Developmental Characteristics of Adolescence Physical and Motor Development :- The physical growth reaches its peak and body takes its final shape As adolescence draws to close, the arms and legs gain their final length and size of bones and muscles increase to the greatest extent possible. Growth and functioning of organs and organ-systems reach their upper range and the glands become extremely active. As adolescence draws to close, the somatic changes and motor activity also attains its maximum limit.

5. In this period individual attains biological maturation which is accompanied by the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics. They are different in boy and girl.

6. There is growth of hairs under arms and around genital organs. There is roundness of the breasts and hips among the girls. Boys develop beared and moustaches on their face.

7. There is a distinct change in voice among both sexes – While the girls voice acquires shrillness and become sweet, boys voice deepens and become harsher. The girls begin to menstruate monthly during this period and boys have nocturnal emission accompanied by erotic dreams

8. 2. Emotional Development Adolescents emotions are often intense, uncontrolled and irrational. Adolescents can express their emotional feelings in relation to abstract things.

9. They develop competencies to bear the tensions in different social situations. They develop an increased capacity for sharing emotional experiences with others. Too sensitive, inflammable and moody.

10. 3. Intellectual Development According to Piaget it is the stage of formal operations, which is characterized by the ability to think abstractly. Adolescents show increased ability to generalize facts. There is an increase in the ability to utilize symbolism in thought process.

11. The adolescent is able to use abstract rules to solve a whole class of problems. The ability to deal with abstraction increases during adolescence. His power of imagination, memory, critical thinking and observation also increases.

12. 4. Social Development Adolescence is a period of establishing hetero-sexual relationships. There is an increase influence of peer group during adolescence. Group loyalty becomes very much pronounced during this period.

13. Co-operation reaches its peak and the individual is in a mood to sacrifice his own interests for the greater cause of the group. During adolescence, a feeling of social responsibility develops and the adolescent is highly critical of social evils and injustice.

14. 5. Sexual Development During adolescence, the sexual development goes into three stages ad follows:- Stage of Auto- erotism – Sexual tendency manifests itself in self-love. Boys and girls fall in love with themselves. Self decoration and admiring before the mirror is a common practice. Freud calls this the stage of Narcissus.

15. Stage of Homo-sexuality – Girls and boys are attracted to the members of their own sex. Stage of Hetero-sexuality – During the later adolescence, young men and women are seen attracted towards each other.

16. Psychological Characteristics of Adolescence Adolescence is a period of recapitulation – Many characteristic features of earlier years appear again The adolescent is intensely emotional. An adolescent is essentially a hero-worshipper.

17. Adolescent shows interest in physical attractiveness and goes grooming. Self-consciousness is too much. There is a craving for recognition in adolescents. Sex-consciousness become too intense.

18. Adolescent exhibits exuberant imagination – period of day-dreaming Peer group relationship is too much. There is a strong tendency of self-assertion ie , prominent due to the new orientation sets in life. The adolescent wants to free himself from bondage. Tendency to revolt against authority.

19. The adolescent is extremely passionate for expressing own opinions and appreciation. A typical feature of adolescence lies in the interest in ideals. Adolescence is the period of acquiring the attitudes and values needed for effective participation in society. Strong desire to achieve self-sufficiency.