Middle Childhood and Adolescence Development

Middle Childhood and Adolescence Development

Learning Team B

PSY 375

July 18, 2016

Katharine Vanderau

Middle Childhood and Adolescence Development

Introduction

        Everyone goes through their teenage stage in life, which may be the roughest time for some children. This stage is also known as the adolescent stage of life. The adolescent stage consists of children ages 13 through 19. Many people think of the adolescent stage as being the time in which the child goes from childhood into adulthood. During the adolescent stage many changes are taking place both physically and mentally. The adolescent may face many obstacles, from voice changes, wanting to be accepted by their peers, changes in hormones, dating, and peer pressure, to name a few. As the time goes on more adolescents are struggling with mental issues stemming from different problems they’re facing in everyday life. The adolescent stage can easily be the most difficult stage in life because the teenager is learning themselves and making decisions that can shape the rest of their life.

Changes in Peer Relationships

        (Insert Heather’s part here)

        The adolescent stage can also be called the transitional stage in a child’s life. During this stage the teenage will have an array of feelings and emotions they may have never experienced before. In turn they have to learn to cope with the new feelings and emotions, which may be difficult for some teenagers. By the end of the adolescent stage the teenager should be more mature, able to balance their moods, have their own identity, and ready to start adulthood.

Adolescent Egocentrism

        According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, egocentrism is defined as limited in outlook or concern to one's own activities or needs or caring too much about yourself and not about other people. At any stage of life a person can be egocentric. Most teenagers experience egocentrism during their adolescent stage and it may be carried on into adulthood for some as well. Mostly all teenagers think they are the cutest and well-dressed teen due to them going through the stage of egocentrism. During the adolescent stage teenagers are going through puberty and start to show concern for what they look like to themselves and their peers. Once they find their own style, the egocentrism usually starts. They usually don’t want to listen to anyone because they just know they are right about everything. During this stage it is hard for adolescents to take advice from anyone because they have a ‘know it all’ mentality. Most adolescent teens would rather hang with their friends instead of their parents or family ("Kids Growth", 1999). Teenagers have a habit to point out the flaws that their parents have and in turn are hesitant to take advice from them ("Kids Growth", 1999). The teenager most likely will find another adult outside of their household and family, that they think can relate to them, to confide in; most likely a young adult. Due to egocentric teenager usually opposes everything their parents say and don’t get along with their parents during this stage. During the adolescent stage many teenagers will think the world revolves around them.