ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I provide a short introduction to the psychological development of the teenager. Having outlined the changes that occur in the brain, I now look at the other perspectives that help the reader make sense of this stage of life. I consider the question of transition and explore the various transitions that go to make up the adolescent period. I then look at the impact of social and historical change, and outline how these affect the lives of young people. I look at theories of adolescence, including the importance of the timing of life events and the notion of agency. I argue that teenagers take more control of their lives than is often recognized by the adults around them. The chapter concludes with a review of the concept of resilience. It explains how central this idea is to well-being and to positive life choices, and I discuss both the risk and protective factors that have their influence on resilience in young people. I conclude the chapter by looking at the links between resilience and brain development.
