How Do Adolescents Develop?

Do you remember when you began to go through adolescence? We all go through this stage, unless there is some problem with our physical development, as was the case with Brooke Greenberg, discussed in the chapter-opening story. This period starts at the end of childhood, from about ages 11–14, and lasts until about ages 18–21. Some have argued that certain characteristics of adolescence now extend well into the 20s.

During your teen years, your body was changing in major ways, growing larger and sometimes doing things beyond your control. Your emotions may have seemed uncontrollable as well. And you suddenly may have felt wildly attracted to people you never thought about before.

As you enter and experience adolescence, all aspects of yourself are changing. Physical changes occur, socio-emotional changes emerge as part of your evolving relationships with parents and peers, and cognitive changes arise as part of the potential emergence of critical and analytical thinking. Taken together, changes in these three areas lay the foundation for the development of your sense of personal identity.