Page 37 - Biblical Counseling II-Textbook

Adolescence
Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood. In adolescence, rapid growth is occurring
across many areas of development:

Physical Development: bodies change, taller, stronger, gain the ability to reproduce
Cognitive Development: As young teenagers become capable of thinking about their own thinking, and
of thinking about other people’s thinking, they begin imagining what other people are thinking about
them. (metacognition)
Developing Reasoning Power: reasoning is self-focused, but moves to abstract reasoning.
Developing Morality: discerning right from wrong and developing character – the psychological muscles
for controlling impulses. Development of moral reasoning – the thinking that occurs when we consider
right and wrong.

During these teenage years, adolescence are wanting to try new things. Some are making impulsive
decisions, showing immaturity. Others are motivated to make wise decisions but struggle with
organization and memory. Think back to your peer group during your late teenage years. Have you ever
wondered why some friends were always making decisions that lead to trouble? Nurture definitely plays
a role in teenage choices, but so does brain development. Look at the chart below and read about each
part of the brain that is developing during teenage years. This chart explains some of the biology behind
adolescent behavior (Myers, 2009).

(photo from www.debate.org)

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