
Adolescence | Psychology Today Adolescence is the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood that occurs between ages 13 and 19. The physical and psychological changes that take place in adolescence often start earlier, during the preteen
Preadolescence
Preadolescence is a stage of human development following early childhood and preceding adolescence. It generally ends with the beginning of puberty, but may also be defined as ending with the start of the teenage years. For example, dictionary definitions generally designate it as 10–13 years.
Was one of the first psychologists to describe adolescence?
Adolescence. -the transition period from childhood to adulthood, from puberty to independence. G. Stanley Hall. -one of the first psychologists to describe adolescence. -said it creates a period of storm and stress. puberty. -when we mature sexually and are capable of reproducing. -surge of hormones triggers a 2 year period of rapid development.
When does adolescence actually start and end?
Adolescence is a period of significant development that begins with the onset of puberty1and ends in the mid-20s. Consider how different a person is at the age of 12 from the person he or she is at age 24.
What are the 3 stages of adolescence?
There are three stages of adolescence:
- Early Adolescence Age is from 10 to 13
- Middle Adolescence Age is from 14-17
- Late Adolescence Age is from 18-21 and beyond
What is the purpose of adolescence?
The purpose of adolescence is for a child to psychologically and socially transform into a young adult. Breaking from their childhood attachment and security allows children to acquire freedom and responsibility to develop independence and to differentiate themselves from their parents and childhood to establish their own unique identity.

What is a simple definition of adolescence?
Adolescence is the transitional phase of growth and development between childhood and adulthood. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an adolescent as any person between ages 10 and 19.
What is the best definition of adolescence in saying?
the period of time in a person's life when they are developing into an adult: She had a troubled adolescence.
What is the definition of adolescence According to who?
Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. It is a unique stage of human development and an important time for laying the foundations of good health. Adolescents experience rapid physical, cognitive and psychosocial growth.
What are the 3 stages of adolescence?
Adolescence, these years from puberty to adulthood, may be roughly divided into three stages: earlyadolescence, generally ages eleven to fourteen; middleadolescence, ages fifteen to seventeen; and lateadolescence, ages eighteen to twenty-one.
What is adolescence example?
Adolescent is defined as a person who is in between puberty and adulthood. A high school student is an example of an adolescent.
What are 5 characteristics of adolescence?
Understanding Adolescence The five leading characteristics of adolescence are biological growth and development, an undefined status, increased decision making, increased pressures, and the search for self.
What is difference between adolescent and adolescence?
Adolescents is the plural form of the word adolescent. Adolescents comes from the Latin word adolescentem which means growing, near maturity. Remember, adolescence is a stage, process or period of development, adolescents are the people going through the stage, process or period of development.
What are the main characteristics of adolescence?
The five leading characteristics of adolescence are biological growth and development, an undefined status, increased decision making, increased pressures, and the search for self.
What is the medical definition of adolescent?
A young person who has begun puberty but has not yet become an adult. During adolescence, a child experiences physical, hormonal, and developmental changes that mark the transition into adulthood. Adolescence generally occurs between the ages of 10 and 19 years.
What are the four main theories of adolescent?
A theory of adolescent development usually can be attributed to one of four major fundamental schemes: psychoanalytic theory; cognitive theory; learning theory; and ecological, contextual theory.
What is adolescence definition stages and characteristics?
Adolescence refers to the period of human growth that occurs between childhood and adulthood. Adolescence begins at around age 10 and ends around age 21. Adolescence can be broken into three stages: early adolescence, middle adolescence, and late adolescence. Each stage has its own characteristics.
What happens adolescence?
Adolescence is a time for growth spurts and puberty changes. An adolescent may grow several inches in several months followed by a period of very slow growth, then have another growth spurt. Changes with puberty (sexual maturation) may happen gradually or several signs may become visible at the same time.
What are the stages of adolescence?
The stages of adolescence include early adolescence from age 10 to 14, mid-adolescence from age 15 to 17, and late adolescence from age 18 to 24. E...
What is the purpose of adolescence?
The purpose of adolescence is for a child to psychologically and socially transform into a young adult. Breaking from their childhood attachment...
Why is puberty so challenging?
Puberty begins between ages 9 and 15, and it lasts between a year and a half to three years. The hormonal and biological changes that occur can l...
Why do teens make bad decisions and take risks?
Adolescent risk-taking is often blamed on hormonal changes, but relationships play a key role as well. The teenage years are devoted to creating...
How does sleep change during adolescence?
The biological clock shifts during puberty, prompting teens to become sleepy later and therefore wake up later to get the recommended 8 to 10 hou...
How can I maintain a close relationship with a teen?
Developing an independent identity during adolescence requires experimenting with new relationships and activities while gaining space from parents...
How do I talk to a teen about healthy sex?
Convey that you are open to discuss anything, such as sexual health, porn , pleasure, and love. During these conversations, listen openly and non...
How do I talk to a teen about drugs and alcohol?
Most teens will experiment with some combination of alcohol, drugs, and smoking . But parents can inform the choices they make with guidance, su...
How can I support a teen when they’re upset?
Encourage them to share their feelings to ease the emotional burden, even if it’s not with you. Exploring the root of their unhappiness can also le...
What Is Adolescent Psychology?
Adolescent psychology refers to the unique mental health needs of adolescents (defined as individuals between 10 and 19 years of age). 1
The History of Adolescent Psychology
The concept of adolescence is relatively new, having only been recognized in the United States starting in the late nineteenth century. 2 Previously, adolescents were essentially seen as "miniature adults."
What Is Typical Teen Behavior?
A common question for parents is, "How do I know what is typical teen behavior?" Although it is expected for adolescents to question their parents, push back on boundaries, and experience some "growing pains" as they develop their sense of self, it can be challenging for parents to identify what falls outside of that range of typical development.
Therapy With Adolescents
Because adolescent brains are different than adult brains, therapy with adolescents does not look the same as therapy with adults.
Introduction
Adolescence is the developmental period occurring between childhood and adulthood. Although no standard definition of adolescence exists, due largely to the lack of a clear demarcation between adolescence and adulthood, adolescence is often considered to be the second decade of life or the period between puberty and legal adulthood.
General Overviews
Several comprehensive overviews of adolescence are available. Most are written primarily for researchers and advanced students. A two-volume set, Lerner and Steinberg 2009 provides the most comprehensive coverage of adolescent development.
How to Subscribe
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When does adolescence start?
Early Adolescence. Early adolescence is the first stage and occurs from ages 10 to 14. Puberty usually begins during this stage. Like Henry, people in this stage become aware of their rapidly changing bodies and start to worry about their physical appearance.
What is the first stage of adolescence?
Adolescence is a period of development that occurs after childhood but before adulthood. The first stage of adolescence is early adolescence. This is when puberty begins, rapid physical changes occur, and relationships with close friends take precedence over family relationships. The second stage is middle adolescence.
What is the difference between late adolescents and late teens?
Late adolescents are not as concerned about their bodies. Their sexual identity is clearer. Late adolescents have a great interest in serious relationships and are able to have tender and intimate relationships. The peer group becomes less important and transforms into just few important friends.
What is the term for a period of development that occurs after childhood but before adulthood?
Many no longer feel invincible, and risky behavior decreases. They are able to express their ideas instead of acting out. Lesson Summary. Adolescence is a period of development that occurs after childhood but before adulthood.
What is Henry's adolescence?
Henry's behaviors and physical changes are common during adolescence. Adolescence refers to the period of human growth that occurs between childhood and adulthood. Adolescence begins at around age 10 and ends around age 21. Adolescence can be broken into three stages: early adolescence, middle adolescence, and late adolescence.
What is the relationship between a late adolescent and their parents?
The relationship that a late adolescent develops with their parents is much different from that of childhood, early adolescence, and middle adolescence. As a result, late adolescence may develop a new appreciation and perspective of their parents, strengthening the child-parent bond.
How many stages are there in adolescence?
Adolescence can be broken into three stages: early adolescence, middle adolescence, and late adolescence. Each stage has its own characteristics. Let's take a look at each stage in more detail below. An error occurred trying to load this video. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.
How long does adolescence last?
The period of adolescence lasts almost ten years, but if it is allowed to take its natural course, and if adults are lenient and permissive, the conflict and turmoil will gradually give way to a state of civilized maturity by the time the age of twenty-two to twenty- five is reached. Sigmund Freud.
What is the primary concern of adolescence?
In adolescence the primary concern is with the establishment of a dominant ego identity. This involves achieving sexual identity, forming values independent of parents, insistence on independence and privacy, and achievement of vocational identity.
Which psychologist developed a theory of psychosexual development?
Sigmund Freud. Freud’s theory of psychosexual development, like Hall’s, is based on a series of genetically determined stages which are relatively independent of environmental influence. In his original theory he put far more emphasis on infantile, pregenital sexuality and its effect on personality than on the adolescent years.
Who are the two anthropologists who contributed to the study of adolescence?
See this topic.) Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead. These anthropologists have contributed heavily to an understanding of adolescence through their recognition of the influence of cultural factors on development, and their descriptions of variations in adolescent behavior from society to society.
Who is the author of the field theory of adolescence?
Kurt Lewin. In accordance with Lewin’s field theory, the individual adolescent is to be understood in terms of the unique interactions between biological, sociological, environmental, and psychological factors that make up his “ life space .”.
Who was the first psychologist to study adolescence?
Stanley Hall. The first psychologist to make a scientific study of adolescence, Hall based his approach on an expansion of Darwin’s theory of recapitulation. In his view, each individual relives the development of the human race from a primitive, animalistic stage to a civilized way of life.
What is the major motivating force toward mature, responsible, culturally acceptable behavior?
The major motivating force toward mature, responsible, culturally acceptable behavior is “socialized anxiety ” resulting from threats of punishment and withdrawal of love during childhood. The goals of socialization, however, differ not only from culture to culture but from class to class.

What Is Adolescent Psychology?
The History of Adolescent Psychology
- The concept of adolescence is relatively new, having only been recognized in the United States starting in the late nineteenth century.2Previously, adolescents were essentially seen as "miniature adults." Specifically, decades of research have shown that adolescents undergo significant brain development, impacting their behavior and functioning during this phase.3As a …
What Is Typical Teen Behavior?
- A common question for parents is, "How do I know what is typical teen behavior?" Although it is expected for adolescents to question their parents, push back on boundaries, and experience some "growing pains" as they develop their sense of self, it can be challenging for parents to identify what falls outside of that range of typical development. Parents might struggle with bala…
Therapy with Adolescents
- Because adolescent brains are different than adult brains, therapy with adolescents does not look the same as therapy with adults. Things parents can keep in mind if their adolescent is in therapy include: 1. Relationship is key. The most important part of any therapeutic relationship is trust and rapport with the therapist, and this is especially true for adolescents. This means that the teen …