Glossary
Abstract Thinking
The ability to think about concepts that are not concrete or tangible, such as morality, justice, and philosophical ideas.
Example:
As adolescents develop abstract thinking, they begin to question societal norms and form their own opinions on complex issues like climate change.
Adolescence
The transitional period of development between childhood and adulthood, characterized by significant physical, cognitive, and social changes.
Example:
During adolescence, many individuals begin to explore their independence and future career paths.
Collectivist Cultures
Cultures that emphasize group goals, interdependence, and social harmony over individual desires and achievements.
Example:
In many East Asian collectivist cultures, adolescents are often taught to prioritize family obligations and community needs.
Frontal Lobe
The part of the brain responsible for higher-level cognitive functions such as planning, decision-making, abstract thought, and impulse control.
Example:
A teenager's developing frontal lobe explains why they might sometimes struggle with long-term planning or thinking through consequences.
G. Stanley Hall
An American psychologist who is considered the father of adolescent psychology, recognizing adolescence as a distinct period of 'storm and stress.'
Example:
G. Stanley Hall's work highlighted the unique challenges and developmental tasks faced by teenagers.
Identity Formation
The process by which individuals develop a sense of self, including their values, beliefs, and goals, often a central task of adolescence.
Example:
Erik Erikson's theory suggests that a key challenge of adolescence is achieving identity formation, where individuals figure out 'who they are.'
Individualistic Cultures
Cultures that emphasize personal goals, self-reliance, and individual achievement over group harmony and collective well-being.
Example:
In individualistic cultures like the United States, teenagers are often encouraged to pursue their unique talents and aspirations.
Limbic System
A group of brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, memory, and basic drives, which develops earlier than the frontal lobe.
Example:
The heightened emotional responses often observed in teenagers can be partly attributed to the rapid development of the limbic system.
Myelin
A fatty tissue that insulates the axons of neurons, speeding up the transmission of neural impulses.
Example:
The growth of myelin in the brain during adolescence contributes to faster processing speeds and improved cognitive abilities.
Neural Networks
Complex webs of interconnected neurons in the brain that process information and enable learning and memory.
Example:
As a child learns to ride a bike, new neural networks are formed and strengthened in the brain to coordinate balance and movement.
Peer Pressure
The influence exerted by a peer group on an individual to conform to the group's norms, values, or behaviors.
Example:
A teenager might feel peer pressure to try vaping if all their friends are doing it, even if they know it's unhealthy.
Prefrontal Cortex
The very front part of the frontal lobe, crucial for executive functions like judgment, planning, and complex decision-making, which matures last.
Example:
The delayed maturation of the prefrontal cortex until the mid-20s helps explain why young adults may still engage in risky behaviors.
Pruning
A natural process in brain development where unused or less efficient neural connections are eliminated, allowing frequently used connections to strengthen.
Example:
During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant pruning, which helps to make cognitive processing more efficient by removing unnecessary pathways.
Puberty
The period of sexual maturation during which a person becomes capable of reproduction, marked by rapid physical growth and hormonal changes.
Example:
The onset of puberty brings about secondary sex characteristics, such as the development of breasts in females and facial hair in males.
Selection Effect
The tendency for individuals to choose environments and social groups that are compatible with their existing attitudes, interests, and behaviors.
Example:
The selection effect explains why a teenager interested in art might naturally gravitate towards friends who also enjoy creative pursuits.