Psychology / Unit 7: Development
7.6 Adolescence
Notes
Adolescence is the transition between childhood and adulthood.
- Puberty: physical changes driven by hormones, leading to sexual maturity. Timing varies a lot and is normal.
- The brain keeps developing: the prefrontal cortex (planning, impulse control) matures into the mid-20s, while emotional and reward systems are active earlier. This helps explain risk-taking.
- Teens need more sleep and often have later body clocks.
- James Marcia described identity statuses based on exploration and commitment: diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, achievement.
- Peers become more important, while parents remain important. Strong relationships with caring adults help teens thrive.
Practice
Which brain area, important for planning and impulse control, continues developing into the mid-20s?
The prefrontal cortex matures late.
A teen has explored many options and made firm choices about career and values. In Marcia's terms this is:
Exploration followed by commitment is identity achievement.
Why is it normal that classmates of the same age start puberty at different times?
Puberty timing varies widely among healthy teens.
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