ABSTRACT
The teen years are characterized by continued physical growth and significant changes that signal the onset of sexual maturity and development into adulthood. This chapter discusses some of these processes and their effects on teens. With regard to physical development, a hallmark of adolescence is puberty and the hormonal changes associated with it. One basic component of puberty is the development of primary sex characteristics, or those aspects of the body directly related to reproduction. A central question surrounding hormonal and other changes during adolescence is whether these changes cause dramatic changes in behavior. Although a great deal of important cognitive development has occurred by the time an individual reaches adolescence, the teen years are a time when cognitive skills become more complex and sophisticated. Although Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development offers helpful ideas about cognitive development and abilities in adolescence, keep in mind that this theory has limitations.
