Adolescence is defined as the period that occurs between 10 and 20 years of age, characterized by a whole series of physical, psychological, emotional and social changes whose achievement and resolution will end with the adolescent’s entry into adult life.
In this Psychology-Online article you will find the stages of adolescence and the characteristics of every one of them. We will also talk about theories about adolescence, the definition established by the World Health Organization.
Stages of adolescence according to authors
G. Stanley Hall He is considered the precursor 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 they consider to be most determining in the development of this period: internal factors, cognitive factors or external factors or environment.
Psychoanalytic theories
Psychoanalytic or dynamic theories consider that internal aspects are what mainly shape the development of adolescence. According to these approaches, this stage begins with the resurgence of the sexual drive, dormant during second childhood, and which gives rise to puberty. This awakening of energy causes an imbalance that will cause changes at many levels in the adolescent (physical, psychological and emotional). The transition through these processes of change and the progressive recovery of balance 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 adult life. .
Cognitive theories
Piaget He is the reference author in these theories. In them, he considers adolescence as an interaction between individual and social factors. Important changes occur at a cognitive level, associated with processes of insertion into adult society. They progressively develop formal thinking that enables them to reason autonomously and critically that they will apply in their adult life.
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Sociological theories
According to these approaches, adolescence is mainly attributed to social factors, external to the individual. Adolescents must complete the socialization process through incorporation of social values and the adoption of certain roles. If you are interested in the topic, you can read this article about .
Stages of adolescence according to the WHO
According to the WHO, the adolescence is the period covered from 10 to 19 years old and that begins with puberty.
The most important changes that occur during adolescence occur:
- on a physical level: puberty and sexual maturity
- psychological: development of formal thinking and search for personal identity. Here you can find more information about the .
- emotional: emotional conflicts and their resolution as a result of the changes experienced
- social: consolidation of the socialization process and development of new relationships
Adolescence is divided into 3 stages:
- early adolescence: This first stage begins at 10 or 11 years old and lasts until approximately 13 years old.
- Middle adolescence: This stage of adolescence includes from 14 to 17 years old.
- Late adolescence: The last stage of adolescence covers approximately 17 to 19 years of age, as it can last until 21 years of age.
early adolescence
Early adolescence includes 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 changes that will occur at various levels:
- On a physical level, a wide variety of activities begin. 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 thinking. Due to this new way of processing information, the adolescent stops identifying with childhood but is not yet accepted as an adolescent.
- At a social level, it suffers great social imbalance as a consequence of all the changes initiated.
- On an emotional level, adolescents can suffer many emotional conflicts because of the situation they are going through at this stage. The family becomes a fundamental pillar to accompany the uncertainty that this period entails.
Middle adolescence
This period begins around the age of 14 and is characterized by the fact that the adolescent begins to replace the relationship with his parents, as reference models, with relationship with your reference group. During this period, the greatest conflicts with family, a result of this dis-identification together with the appearance of risk behaviors caused by the influence of peer groups. In the following article you will find.
The physical, psychological and emotional changes are not as abrupt at this stage.
Late adolescence
It occurs from ages 17 to approximately 21. In this stage, the adolescent progressively regains balance through acceptance, assimilation and resolution of the changes and conflicts experienced. Thus:
- On a physical level, changes are significantly reduced and biological maturity is reached.
- At a psychological level: new information processing capabilities 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, at 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.
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Bibliography
- Adrián, J., & Rangel, E. (2012). Adolescent transition and education. Learning and development of personality1, 1-16.
- Güemes-Hidalgo, M., Ceñal González-Fierro, MJ, & Hidalgo Vicario, MI (2017). Development during adolescence. Physical, psychological and social aspects. Comprehensive Pediatrics21(4), 233-244.
- Lucas, M. L. (2008). How will your body change with puberty? Pediatrician, Jávea Health Center, Alicante.