10 AFFECTIVE CHANGES OF ADOLESCENCE - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

Among the affective changes that occur in adolescents, the need for an identity that differentiates them from other individuals, rebellion, impulsiveness, sudden mood swings and susceptibility stand out.

Adolescence is one of the most important periods of development in the human being, in which the stage of childhood is left behind and prepares for the adult stage. These changes usually begin to occur between the ages of 10 and 15 and last until the age of 18 or 20.

On the physical plane, the body reaches sexual maturity. For his part, on the affective level, the adolescent must confront the fact that he is no longer a child but he is not an adult yet. This transition from child to adult generates certain conflicts in the behavior of young people.

Main affective changes in adolescents

1- Identity search

Because adolescence is the period in which the individual prepares to start life as an adult, the adolescent feels the need to seek an identity.

This means that the individual will look for those elements that define it, that make it unique and that differentiate it from others.

This search for identity can lead to estrangement from the adolescent.

2- Malleable behavior

During adolescence, the behavior of individuals is very malleable. Therefore, it can be said that adolescents are susceptible to the influence of other individuals, mainly the influence of social pressure.

Teenage groups are often influenced by popular culture and what is broadcast through the mass media.

The way adolescents dress, speak and conduct will largely depend on the fashions accepted by most young people.

For example, if it is considered that rock culture is in fashion, a large part of adolescents will follow it, wearing black, listening to the musical groups of the moment, among other behaviors.

Adolescents often adopt certain cultures that are imposed on them, even though they may not fully approve of them.

This is done in order to be accepted by another group. This is where social pressure comes in.

3- Sensitivity

As mentioned earlier, adolescence includes both physical and psychological changes.

It is normal for adolescents to be psychologically sensitive in terms of their physical appearance. Similarly, during adolescence individuals are sensitive to their environment: they can easily become irritated and angry, as well as depressed.

4- Uncertainty

Being adolescence a period of transition, it is normal for adolescents to feel insecure about their decisions or their future.

It is common for adolescents in this phase to begin to question certain aspects of their life, such as:

- Your relationship with individuals in your family.

- The relationship with his friends.

- Your sexual orientation.

- Beginning of romantic relationships.

- What university degree to pursue?

5- Sexual attraction

In adolescence, the human body reaches sexual maturity, which means that the individual is already capable of reproducing.

In response to this change, teens begin to feel sexually attracted to their friends or classmates.

6- mood swings

Due to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty, adolescents have sudden mood swings.

These hormonal changes also cause adolescents' emotions to fluctuate rapidly: in an instant the individual can feel that they are the happiest person in the world; the next minute you may feel like your life is worthless.

The intensity of emotions during adolescence exceeds the intensity of emotions that can be experienced during any other stage of human development (childhood, adulthood or old age).

7- Distance from the family

Adolescents often prefer to develop strong bonds with their friends and peers while distancing themselves from their family members.

This is because many young people consider the family as an oppressive element, which is against the dreams of adolescents.

In addition to this, it is common for there to be differences between the wishes of parents and the wishes of adolescents: the former are usually oriented towards educational and professional improvement, while the latter are more oriented towards satisfying personal desires.

For this and other reasons, adolescents withdraw from the family.

8- rebellion

The desire to separate from parental decisions leads to rebellious behavior, which is common in most teens.

Young people often go against the wishes of their parents to show that they are capable of making their own decisions and that they are independent.

Despite the fact that rebellious behaviors are unpleasant for parents, they are necessary for the correct development of adolescents' identity.

9- Impulsive

Adolescence is a stage marked by the impulsive nature of individuals. During this period, people are more likely to take risks, to take dangers in order to feel the adrenaline rush. In short, to act impulsively.

Adolescents do not usually think about the consequences of their actions and make decisions based on their emotions, on what feels right for them at the time.

10- Conflicting thoughts

Being adolescence a stage of transition, adolescents often have problems with the way they act. This means that there could be conflicts between the child who is ceasing to be and the adult who is expected to become.

For example, the adolescent may try to leave behind the elements that he liked when he was a child (movies, books, toys) for fear of being branded as childish.

References

1. Social and emotional changes: adolescence. Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from raisingchildren.net.au
2. Emotional changes that occur during puberty. Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from menstrupedia.com
3. What are emotional changes in adolescence? Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from lifestyle.howstuffwork.com
4. Social and Emotional Changes in Adolescence. Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from healthyfamiliesbc.ca
5. Mental / Emotional / Social Changes Through Puberty. Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from mentalhelp.net
6. Coping with emotional changes during puberty. Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from momjunction.com
7. Adolescence: psychological and social changes. Retrieved on July 23, 2017, from apps.who.int.