One of the most challenging developmental periods in a person’s life is adolescence. Various biological and psychological changes occur in the individual during this time. Not only this, the individual experiences assorted emotions which maybe completely new to them.
The brain is rapidly developing in affective and social cognitive functions (Blakemore & Choudhury, 2006; Giedd, 2004; Giedd et al, 1999; Paus, Keshevan, Giedd, 2008; Sowell et al., 2003). There is increased hormonal upheaval, sexual maturation, and active intellectual, emotional and social change along with increased peer influence in the background (Forbes & Dahl, 2010; Sisk & Zehr, 2005; Wigfield, Byrnes & Eccles,2006). These new experiences and changes can be a result of biological, psychological and social-environmental changes. These changes may appear collectively but each one is isolated and new for the individual. Meaning, they do not best know how to deal with these changes which makes them vulnerable to engage in risky behaviour.
Risk can be defined as "the appraised likelihood of a negative outcome for behaviour" (Zuckerman, 1994, p. 124). Risk taking behaviours are "volitional, purposive, goal-oriented and carry potential for harm" (Lightfoot, 1997, p. 22). The likelihood and incidence of engaging in injurious and risk taking behaviour (such as illicit drug use) is increased during mid- to late- adolescence, more than at any other age (Steinberg, 2008) indicating that intellectual, emotional and social development continues into late adolescence. During this time adolescents may get involved in confrontational behaviour such as getting into arguments with adults, testing the limits of parents and peers, which may lead to both emotional and physical da...
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...normative for a college student, despite the fact that such behaviour is equally risky for both individuals. In other words, involving in risk-taking behaviours means different things for younger and older adolescents (Parsons, Siegel & Cousins, 1997). From the developmental perspective, risk-taking is viewed as normative and adaptive for healthy psychological development (Baumrind, 1991) and conceptualized as a means of dealing with developmental tasks such as autonomy and exploration.
1.1.3 Cognitive Approach
According to cognitive (decision-making) approach, a risky behaviour can be defined as an action requiring some chance of a loss (Beyth-Marom, Austin, Fischoff, Palmgren & Jacobs-Quadrel, 1993). From a decision theory perspective, choosing a risky or nonrisky action is rational if the choice reflects the relevant values and beliefs of the decision maker.
Steinberg, Laurence & Morris, Amanda Sheffield. “Adolescent Development.” Annual Review of Psychology, (Annual 2001): 83-110. [E Journal]
Among adolescents, a certain degree of misbehavior, experimentation, or independence seeking is common. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association (1994) indicates that "New onset of oppositional behaviors in adolescence may be due to the process of normal individuation." On the other hand, youth who persistently and progressively engage in problem behaviors with significant impairment in personal development, social functioning, academic achievement, and vocational preparation are of great concern to caretakers. Also of concern is the broad category of "antisocial behaviors" that have an appreciable harmful effect on others, in terms of inflicting physical or mental harm on others or causing property loss or damage.
According to the Monitoring the Future study (previously called the High School Senior Survey), in 1996, 50.8 percent of high school seniors reported having used illicit drugs (1996). The study also found that male juveniles arrested for drug offenses had the highest rate of positive drug tests when compared to youth arrested for other types of crimes. Substance abuse and delinquency often share the common factors of school and family problems, negative peer groups, lack of neighborhood social controls, and a history of physical or sexual abuse (Hawkins et al., 1987). Substance abuse is also associated with crimes of violence and income-generating crimes such as robberies in youth. Other social and criminal justice problems often linked to substance abuse in juveniles is drug trafficking, youth homicides, gangs, and
"The teenage brain is like a car with a good accelerator but a weak brake. With powerful impulses under poor control, the likely result is a crash.” (Ritter). An adolescent does not have complete power over their impulses, unlike fully developed adults. “The frontal lobe includes the prefrontal cortex, which controls executive functions like planning, decision-making, the expression of emotion, and impulse control. The prefrontal cortex may not be completely developed until a person is in his or her mid-twenties. This explains why adolescents have less impulse control than adults, are less able to think through the long-term consequences of their decisions, and are more susceptible to peer pressure. Does it make sense, then, to punish a youth in the same way we punish adults?” (Harris). The brain w...
All children will go through changes as they grow from childhood to adulthood. This change is and significant part of one’s development, known as adolescence. The relationship a child has with his/her family is a big impact on why most young teenagers...
Juveniles are not mature enough or developed psychologically, and, therefore, do not consider the consequences of their actions. In the article, “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains” by Thompson,
During the adolescent year’s children goes through physical and mental changes which could cause them to act deviant. Family support and good family structure is needed to help an adolescent cope with changes in their behavior. Other family crises such as parents’ divorce, death, and economics factor can trigger a child to act out differently as a mean to seek attention. Juveniles are not as good at decision making as adults, because they are young and does not have much experience in life they could make bad decisions that would make their life difficult. Youngsters do not think of the consequences of their action thus “they face deciding whether to engage in a risky behavior, such as taking drugs, shoplifting, or getting into a fight, in situation involving emotions, stress, peer pressure, and little time for reflection” (national academic press). Adults could think rationally where as children do not develop to think rationally between the ages of ten and seventeen thus children should not be punished as bad as an adult.
Adolescence is the time-frame when children transition into adulthood, usually beginning between age 11 or 12 concluding in the late teens or early twenties. Adolescence offers the fortuity for psycho-social, physical, cognitive and physical growth, with a stipulation of risk to healthy development by making poor choices and risky behavior such as unsafe sexual activity, substance abuse and inferior peer relationships. The impact of adolescence physically; puberty marks the termination of childhood as we know it, these changes can have a profound affect psychologically. Hormonal changes present during puberty can trigger mood swings, erratic and fluctuating behaviors. Generally, puberty takes four years to complete,
Adolescence is a transition which has no fixed time limits. However, the changes that occur at this time are so significant that it is useful to talk about adolescence as a distinct period of human life cycle. This period ranges from biological changes to changes in behavior and social status, thus making it difficult to specify its limits exactly (Damon, 2008). Adolescence begins with puberty, i.e. a series of physiological changes that lead to full development of the sexual organs and the ability to breed and sex. The time interval that elapses begins at 11 to 12 years and extends to 18 to 20. However we cannot associate to a 13 with one 18 years. Let us talk about early adolescence between 11 to 14 years, which coincides with puberty, and after a second period of youth, or late adolescence between 15-20 years. Its extension to adulthood depends on social, cultural, environmental as well as personal adaptation.
Most adolescents believe that they are mature and capable of making serious decisions and feel that they are able to handle their emotions under severe and stressful situations. However, this thinking is a normal part of the adolescent stage. Research provides evidence of major brain development in teenagers and emphasizes the inability of these young adults to understand all of their irrational and emotional actions. The maturing adolescent brain is biologically and therefore psychologically unable to comprehend the long-term consequences of committing serious crimes.
Successful resolution of this psychosocial stage of development is imperative in order to acquire an enduring incorporated sense of self and to progress to the next stage of development. Society and one’s culture also contributes enormously to the commitment or prevention of dealing with the challenges faced during adolescence. Regardless of what challenges are faced during this stage of development, overcoming it is a fundamental necessity in order to progress into a strong-willed and stable individual in
The period of adolescence is a time of immense changes, both biologically and socially, through self-discovery and identification. During adolescence, the human body goes through a wave of hormonal changes in preparation for sexual reproduction. As the individual reaches adulthood, this process is called puberty (Arnett, 2015, p. 350). In addition to the physical changes, teens undergo many social and psychological changes as they approach adulthood, preparing them for the many responsibilities to come (Arnett, 2015, p. 350). Adolescence is constructed by changes in relation to the physical, cognitive, and emotional states of an individual. Within each of these developmental areas, teens mature in varying ways. In regards to physical changes, adolescents undergo the previously mentioned process of puberty, but they also face many issues such as eating disorders and substance abuse (Arnett, 2015, p. 357-359). For cognitive development, teens undergo
Adolescence is a stage in life that is marred by physical and hormonal changes that influence a person’s field of decision-making. During this time, adolescents are enticed to experiment on drugs and other dangerous habits. Research has shown that substance abuse among the youth leads to troubled interpersonal relationships, increased vehicle accidents, physical dependence, unprotected sex, increased hostility, and increased suicidal ideation (Hansell & White, 1991; Newcomb, Scheier & Bentler, 1993; North, 2012).
...Connor, G. (2012). Adolescence Risky Drinking: Source of Alcohol and The Role of The Parents. New South Wales: University of Newcastle.
Throughout our life, it can be marked by developmental changes in every domain of life: our physical, cognitive, social, personalities, and morals. Due to some important researchers such as Erickson, Freud, Piaget we are able to understand the development of each of these domains. Each stage of it’s life has it’s own difficulties and events that can determine a person’s life (Mogler, 2008). During the stages of adolescence, they are very vulnerable to a lot going on in their life such as fitting in, peers, family, school, activities, and society, and not to forget the ups and downs of puberty. Adolescence can be viewed as a huge part of many children’s lives where in this part of their life they try to find teenagers experience physical, cognitive,