Table of contentsHormonal changes and physical growthCauses and effects of cognitive changesEmotional development during adolescenceConclusionReferencesAdolescence is a time of storm and stress while we are facing drastic changes in our body. In this essay we will analyze what happens in the body and mind during the developmental phase of adolescence. We will touch on spheres of physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Hormonal Changes and Physical Growth To begin with, adolescence is the time when our body reaches maturity, which usually happens during adolescence. During adolescence, our bodies undergo many changes. Physical growth is caused by the pituitary gland and at the same time, sex hormones are released by the reproductive system. In boys, testosterone increases muscle, hair growth, and shoulder width. In girls, estrogen increases breast growth, maturation of the uterus and vagina, and enlargement of the hips. When these hormonal changes occur, it is called puberty. The book Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding (4th edition) defines puberty as “the attainment of sexual maturation leading to reproductive potential.” Probably due to improvements in health and nutrition, children today tend to reach adolescence younger. It usually occurs in girls between 13 and 15 years old and in boys between 9 and 10 years old. Causes and Effects of Cognitive Changes Let us now turn to cognitive changes in adolescence. According to Piaget, the most abstract stages of reasoning and abilities occur when we reach adolescence and our cognitive development continues. While most of a human's brain maturation occurs before birth and during childhood; Adolescence is the time when our frontal lobes reach full maturity. Since the frontal lobes help us plan, make decisions, and control our impulses, it becomes apparent why sometimes impulsive decisions are made throughout adolescence. Along with this, the limbic structures of the brain are more active during adolescence. This means that social rewards become present, leading adolescents to give in to peer pressure and other risky experiences. Another thing that changes is connectivity in the brain. Some become more connected while others become less connected. This results in a change in behavior involving motivation to learn, etc. It is often thought that the risk-taking nature of adolescents is due to the fact that they feel invisible. However, this is not the case. Most teenagers know the risks they are willing to take, even if they have to face the consequences. The final change in cognitive development concerns adolescents' attitudes toward knowledge. The main cause of this phenomenon occurs when students are not given clear answers. When students receive a question that does not have a right or wrong answer, they often face confusion. So, in turn, they frame their answers not necessarily on what they believe but on what they think their teachers will appreciate. However, over time, students will overcome this problem and realize that there are many different ways to look atquestions and answer them. Emotional Development During Adolescence Adolescence can sometimes be considered a good time, but also sometimes a bad time. However, through research, it was found that only 20% of adolescents experience disorders; while the rest of the teenagers went through the years without disorder or confusion. Research to prove this has shown that the main reason for adolescent disorders is because they cannot control their emotional reactions and therefore their problems are more visible. A big change that happens during our teenage years is finding our identity. The book defines identity as "our sense of who we are, as well as our life goals and priorities." It is with this in mind that Erik Erikson developed a theory of identity development. Erikson's model included 8 stages that extended throughout human development. At each stage, there is a different psychosocial crisis. The book defines a psychosocial crisis as “a dilemma regarding an individual’s relationships with others.” When these psychosocial crises arise, we begin to understand who we are. Although Erikson's theory has had considerable impact, it is not necessarily supported by much evidence. For example, there are not necessarily 8 steps and the order in which you go through them may be different. For a long time, anyone under 18 was called a teenager and anyone over 18 was an adult. However, the stage of life between the ages of 18 and 25 is now called emerging adulthood. The book defines emerging adulthood as "a period of life when many aspects of emotional development, identity, and personality solidify." During this period, identities change and we ultimately become who we want to be. Along with this, moral development also develops. As children grow and reach adolescence, they understand what is morally correct. The last point is discovered thanks to the research of Lawrence Kohlberg. He studied morality throughout a person's life. In his research, he discovered that morality occurs in three stages: preconventional morality, conventional morality, and postconventional morality. Preconventional morality is when we are rewarded for doing the right things and punished for the wrong ones. Conventional morality is when we focus on what society considers right and wrong. And finally, postconventional morality is when we focus on what is good for human rights and what is not. Kohlberg said everyone goes through these stages, but at different rates. Although Kohlberg's findings were of great importance, they also attracted criticism. For example, many people argue that moral reasoning comes after emotional reactions, which differs from Kohlberg's findings. Another example is that moral development does not necessarily explain moral behavior. This is because people can do morally incorrect things for different reasons, and some may be more justifiable than others. Conclusion Ultimately, the journey through adolescence is a complex tapestry woven with dynamic threads of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional factors. changes. This phase of transformation, although often marked by challenges and complexities, is a crucible of growth, resilience and self-discovery. The physical metamorphosis that shapes the body, the cognitive leaps that expand the mind, the connections, 2,.