Adolescent to Adulthood Development

Running head: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 1
Adolescent to Adulthood Development
Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Date

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 2
Adolescence is a period in the lifetime of an individual where changes on the body occur
as he/she grows from childhood to adulthood. There are several changes that occur physically,
cognitively, emotionally, sexually, and socially during this stage of life and it relates to the way
ones relates to the world.
Physical Development
Physical development in the adolescent can be categorized into three developmental
milestones according to the ages. These categories include; ages of 10 to 13 years (early
adolescence), 14 to 17 years (middle adolescence) and 18 to 21 years (late adolescent).
Early Adolescents
This is the stage where children begin to grow very fast. Some of the changes observed in
the body compositions include; hair grows around the genitals and under the arms, breast
enlargement and development in females, testicles enlargement in males. The change may start a
year or two earlier in girls than in boys. Most of the girls may begin having their periods at the
age of 12 years that is on an average of 2 to 3 years after the breast developments. Most of the
children at this age do question their gender identity. At this time a young person’s concentrate
more on thinking about themselves especially their body changes. The children at this stage
increase the needs for privacy and try as much as they can to be independent of their families and
peers (Lappe et al, 2015).
Middle adolescents
This is where physical changes continue for the puberty stage. Puberty-related changes
occur in this stage and they start the spurting growth. Boys develop acne, some have cracking
voices as they try to lower their voices. This is the time when most girls have a regular period.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 3
Most of the teens at this age become more interested in sexual relationships and romantic
activities. At the middle adolescents, the teens may start having more arguments with the family
members as the needs more privacy and be independents (Lancaster, 2017).
Late adolescents
This is where young people have acquired complete physical developments like attain
full adult heights and adapt to the changes in their bodies. At late adolescence, the young
person’s can control their impulses and they are able to differentiate between risks and rewards.
These are teens entering the adulthood and thus have strong senses about their individuality and
are aware of their own values as well as focusing on their future based on their decisions
(Symons, Ponnet, Emmery, Walrave & Heirman, 2017).
Cognitive development
This is the progression in the way of thinking from childish to adult thinking.
Early adolescent
In this stage, an adolescent thinks in a complex manner and focuses on personal decision
making both at home and at school. Here the child develops a sense of questioning the authority
and the standards of the society. The teens at this age can express his/her views concerning
several topics in a formal and logically way. For instance, a child begins to talk about the groups,
games or sports which he/she prefers (Meredith, 2015).
Middle adolescent
The teens here questions and analyses almost everything extensively. They now have
some knowledge to use more complex thinking capacity. A young person starts developing

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 4
his/her own code of ethics. A teen at this period, begins to develop one’s identity, thinks in
different possibilities, can make own plans, have long-term thinking, consider future possible
goals and is interested in others peoples relationships (Amso & Scerif, 2015).
Late adolescent
Here, thinking complexity concentrate on personal decisions and self-centered concepts.
The thoughts increase in global concepts, for example, justice, politics, patriotism, and history. A
young person now develops intolerance and debating topics with opposing views. It is the time
one start making career views and thinks on the emerging roles in society (Marek, Hwang,
Foran, Hallquist & Luna, 2015).
Psychosocial development
These are the developmental responsibilities the focus on autonomy development, the orientation
of the future and identity establishment.
Early adolescent
This stage of the adolescent is when a teen struggles to be both economic and
emotionally independent from the guardians. The teenager forms peer groups of the same-sex
and tends to have no interest in parental advice and family activities. The peers have a strong
influence and often idealized towards the adolescent transitions. Here the same sex-peer groups
try to rhyme in clothing, language, hairstyles and other accessories. The adolescent who seems
not involved in any of the peers is likely to have psychological problems at this stage. The
adolescents shift their attention from focusing on themselves and adopt the ethical values and
codes of larger peers and parental groups (Berenbaum, Beltz & Corley, 2015).