What is the definition of adolescence in psychology
Ava Robinson
Updated on May 11, 2026
Adolescence is the developmental period occurring between childhood and adulthood. … Adolescence is a transitional period marked by substantial changes in physical maturation, cognitive abilities, and social interactions. Physical maturation most clearly distinguishes adolescence from childhood.
What do you mean adolescence?
Adolescence is the period of transition between childhood and adulthood. Children who are entering adolescence are going through many changes (physical, intellectual, personality and social developmental). Adolescence begins at puberty, which now occurs earlier, on average, than in the past.
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.
How does WHO define adolescence?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as those people between 10 and 19 years of age. The great majority of adolescents are, therefore, included in the age-based definition of “child”, adopted by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 4 as a person under the age of 18 years.What is adolescent behavior?
Behaviorally, adolescence is associated with volatile emotions and boundary-testing behavior as individuals explore and assert personal identity, learn to navigate peer relationships, and transition to independence. … These behaviors are studied in two recent papers.
What is the main characteristic 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 meant by adolescence and puberty?
Puberty is the time in which a child’s sexual and physical characteristics mature. It occurs due to hormone changes. Adolescence is the period between puberty and adulthood.
What is the difference between teenage and adolescence?
The terms refer to different aspects of a person. “Teenager” refers to age, starting with thirteen all the way over to nineteen, but ending there. “Adolescent” refers to the body’s transition to maturity from prepubescence, which varies with a person’s genes.Why adolescence is an important period?
Adolescence is a very vital period that will determine how a person will view and interact with the world as an adult. … It is important to provide adolescents with opportunities to make independent decisions and take healthy risks, such as taking on a part-time job or trying out for a new sport.
What is adolescence Counselling?Adolescent counseling is aimed at young people to help them make sense of their feelings, behaviors and thoughts and entails the use of unique techniques.
Article first time published onWhat are the psychological changes in adolescence?
The most important psychological and psychosocial changes in puberty and early adolescence are the emergence of abstract thinking, the growing ability of absorbing the perspectives or viewpoints of others, an increased ability of introspection, the development of personal and sexual identity, the establishment of a …
What are the mental changes in adolescence?
The psychological changes of adolescence include the appearance of new cognitive structures (e.g., the ability to think abstractly) and introspective ability, the establishment of moral values and norms, and a coming to terms with the developmental tasks that are specific to this period of life, as discussed in the …
How does adolescence affect a person?
Although adolescence may appear to be a turbulent time, it’s also a period of great potential as young people engage more deeply with the world around them. Adolescents typically grow physically, try new activities, begin to think more critically, and develop more varied and complex relationships.
What is an adolescent age?
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.
Why adolescence is a difficult period?
One of the reasons many of us find it so hard is because it is a time of rapid physical development and deep emotional changes. These are exciting, but can also be confusing and uncomfortable for child and parent alike.
What are the five 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 are the benefits of adolescence?
- 1 Happy Medium. …
- 2 An Excuse to Try Different Things. …
- 3 Life Filled with Exciting Things. …
- 4 Room for Mistakes. …
- 5 More Freedom, Less Responsibilities. …
- 6 Being in Your Best Shape. …
- 7 Having Summer off.
What is adolescence Class 11 psychology?
Adolescence is commonly defined as the stage of life that begins at the onset of puberty, when sexual maturity, or the ability to reproduce is attained. It has been regarded as a period of rapid change, both biologically and psychologically.
What are the different types of adolescence?
There are three stages of adolescence, which include early adolescence (10 to 13 years), middle adolescence (14 to 17 years), and late adolescence/young adulthood (18 to 21 years and beyond).
What are the social and emotional changes of adolescence?
Social changes in adolescence You might notice your child trying out new things like clothing styles, subcultures, music, art or friendship groups. Friends, family, media and culture are some of the influences on your child’s choices in these years.
What are the physical and emotional changes of an adolescence?
Aside from acne and an increase in body odor, the most prominent physical changes that occur to adolescents are the maturing of the genital organs, or puberty. … Other physical changes girls go through include an increase in body hair, the emergence of breast tissue and rapid growth.