Developmental Aspects of Adolescence

Chayanika Saharia.

After years of research and study in the area of human development, we all know about the phases or stages of human development as defined by multiple researchers and psychologists. Human beings reach adolescence through the late childhood period. Adolescence is the transitional stage that brings with it a diverse area of new developments and changes in the individual's physical, mental, inner, and outer aspects. When we refer to the transitional phase in adolescence, it is accepted that this period is the epitome of the formation of life through the bitter-sweet experiences that one engages in and gains insights. In the present context, when we mention the developmental aspect of adolescence, we have to include the physical development and rapid changes in that physical development, along with mental, emotional, and social changes. Here is the mention of some important domains that none can strike off while discussing the developmental aspects of adolescence. With each developmental aspect, there are certain challenges attached to it that are of utmost significance. However, we must also remember that these are general and vary from individual to individual. It is just how the norm states for the adolescents’ developmental aspects: 1. The changes in physical development are the most challenging tasks for any adolescent. As soon as boys and girls attain their age of teens, both gender have their unique changes in their bodies. They both try to understand these new changes and adapt to their newly attained physical changes. Biologically, boys and girls are unique, and in their adolescent stage, there are biological changes that lead to an increase in height, body fat distribution, development of secondary sexual characteristics, etc. 2. With physical development, the teens, i.e., both boys and girls, are concerned with their physical appearance. For them at this age, the “looks matter!”. They get easily influenced by the social schemas and stereotypes of how one should be and look. If not, they feel they don’t fit the class, category or race. 3. Most adolescents are surrounded by thoughts, which are often self-obsessions. The term egocentrism has been used to describe by David Elkind. It is very important to develop their identity, which becomes one of the major concerns in developing self during adolescence. The dimension of identity formation and identity confusion is another building block of personality development in this stage.

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