ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we explore the implications of a phase transition in adolescence in which the structures of childhood break down, reorganize, and then become the structures of adulthood. We begin by identifying properties of self-organizing complex systems, such as a child developing within a family, and the function of variability before, during, and after a phase transition. We then examine the adolescent phase transition hypothesis by considering the nature of developmental change across this period, especially with respect to responses to emotional perturbations. We describe an idealized research design for directly and definitively testing the adolescent phase transition hypothesis and then delineate several appropriate analytical approaches. The implications for interpretations of research to date may be far reaching and therefore testing the adolescent phase transition hypothesis is critical.
