University Biology Essay: Lifespan Development of Adolescents

This essay delves into the developmental stage of early adolescence, spanning approximately ages 12 to 18. It examines key biological, psychological, and social factors influencing cognitive development, with a specific focus on puberty (biological domain) and identity formation (socio-emotional domain). The essay analyzes puberty through Erikson's theory, highlighting the physical and psychological changes during this period. It also explores identity formation using James Marcia's theory, which categorizes identity development based on socio-emotional factors. Furthermore, Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory is employed to analyze the transition into early adolescence by examining the interplay of various environmental systems. The essay concludes by emphasizing the significance of understanding these developmental characteristics and their impact on the overall progression of adolescence, with references to relevant research and theories.

Running head: BIOLOGY
LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT-EARLY ADOLESCENTS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1Running head:” BIOLOGY
The human lifecycle is explored by lifespan development which incorporates the
stages starting from contraception and ending at death (Hoffnung et al.2016). Various
characteristics that contribute to a lifecycle are progressively analyzed by developmental
psychologists. This essay will talk about the early adolescent developmental stage (age
ranges is approximately between 12 and 18 years) (Hoffnung et al.2016). Additional analysis
and examination of developmental characteristics (identity formation and puberty
development) have been associated with adolescents. Erikson's theory will be used to analyze
the developmental characteristics of puberty through biological lenses. Socioemotional lenses
will also be used to analyze the identity of an individual by the theory stated by James
Marcia. Bronfenbrenner's theory will be used to analyze the process of transition into early
adolescence by analyzing the above-stated domains (puberty and identity).
The transitional stage which incorporates the range of age between 12 to 18 years, is
called the early adolescence stage. During this stage, various biological, psychological and
social factors affect the cognitive development of an individual. Two central developmental
characteristics have been found to be evident during the stage of adolescence- puberty
(biological domain) and socio-economic domain as the identity. One of the most complex
developmental stages during the life span is adolescence (Kipke 1999). While the individual
enters the domain of puberty, various aspects of growth and transitions from childhood to
adolescents take place (Kipke 1999). Biological factors change and consecutively develop,
the height increases, weight varies, sexual factors arise in the body, hormone imbalances
occur and the voice changes based on fertility and gender (Kipke 1999). The biological
characters which develop can begin at various ages within the life span range of adolescence
which varies with genetics, gender and social-physiological factors (Stephanie et al. 2003).
According to various research studies, the most common range of age during early
adolescence is between 9 to 15 in males and 8 to 14 in females (Kar, Choudhury, Singh

2Running head:” BIOLOGY
2015). According to Kipke 1999, females commonly experience a variation in development
and growth before the males. There are various studies regarding the biological domain in
which pubertal maturation is carried out by the brain (neurological interactions). These
interactions link the environmental, social and cultural atmospheric factors (Kar, Choudhury,
Singh 2015).
Puberty is a biological domain that has been empirically explored by various theorists.
According to Erikson, the period of pubescence has been described as the developmental
period of sexual awareness, maturity and rapid growth of the human body (Erikson 1994). He
has also highlighted various changes that hold the transition of puberty from childhood to
adolescence. This process has been described as qualitative and different from those which
are experienced during the past childhood (Erikson 1994). The theory states that “in the life
span of early adolescence one is not only confronted with internal psychological revolution
introducing an establishment of a new body image, however, a psychological crisis" (Erikson
1994). The ability of an individual to cope with physic-bio fluctuations occurring during the
puberty time which affects the future psychological state has been suggested by this theory.
This theory also emphasizes the importance of learning and managing the changes which
occur at the body levels, motor developmental levels (new sex desires) which re different
from biological developmental stages.
The substantial formation of identity has been stated to be a central characteristic that
contributes to the early adolescence development (Hoffnung et al.2016). The formation of
identity has been stated to perpetuate the growth which occurs from an emotional and social
domain. During the early adolescence period, an individual begins to experience
psychological, biological and social developments that enforce a change (Hoffnung et
al.2016). The changes associated with puberty vary from females to males, where the
transitioning is later or earlier than the average age. The positive and negative impact on an

3Running head:” BIOLOGY
individual also varies. While the child is in his or her early adolescence, they continue to
prosper along with growth while forming independence, social connections, patterns,
discovering by own and developing moral values (Hoffnung et al.2016). The emotional and
physical state has been found to be affected by hormonal fluctuations which sometimes
become stressful and challenging to cope with few (Kar, Choudhury, Singh 2015). During
identity formation, one leads to new experiences, desires, feelings, and emotions (Stangor,
Walinga 2014). Socio-economic domains explore some factors which have been found to
contribute to the formation of identity during the early adolescence period. These factors
include religion, peers, family, culture, social connections, and ethnicity.
James Marcia (1980) explored the development of identity associated with socio-emotional
factors. Four major categories are portrayed by this approach which has been found to assist
in the development of early adolescents (Stangor, Walinga 2014). According to Stangor,
Walinga (2014), children have been found to maintain an informal identity in different social
interactions. The sharing of mutual views with various social settings as parties, sports, and
schools drives social identity accordingly (Stangor, Walinga 2014).
Identity and puberty will be explored additionally by the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological
system. This theory states that a variety of environmental factors which include the
‘microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem’ (Paquette, Ryan 2001) have been
found to affect the children. The relationship system along with the interactions between
maturing factors of child steers the community, social landscape and family (Ashiabi, O’Neal
2015). The formation of identity can be observed through the microsystem that surrounds the
relationships between family members. These members are immediate family members
including parents affecting a child's spiritual, psychological and cognitive development
(Paquette, Ryan 2001). This microsystem has been found to entail the friend’s view, which
peers as a primary subject to the disturbance or assistance to the development of adolescence.

4Running head:” BIOLOGY
On a concluding note, it can be stated that various characteristics and factors
contribute to a lifespan progression, which shows the specific development of adolescence.
Erikson, Bronfenbrenner and James Marcia, which explores views, associated with the 12 to
18 years age group of early adolescence. The developmental characteristics of puberty
associated with the biological domain explore and then determines appearance, genetics,
sexual characteristics and genes as the developmental characteristics. As the formation of
identity (socio-emotional domain) justifies the significance of the society, family and friend
relationships, informal and formal environment that contributes to the growth spurt of
adolescence.

5Running head:” BIOLOGY
References:
Ashiabi, S, O’Neal, K 2015, Child Social Development in Context: ‘An Examination of Some
Propositions in Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory’, SAGE, viewed 26thDecember 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015590840
Erikson, E 1994, ‘Identity and the life cycle’, Norton & Co, New York.
Hoffnung, M, Hoffnung, RJ, Seifert, KL, Hine, A, Ward, L , Pause, C ,Swabey, K, Yates,K,
Burton Smith, R 2016, Lifespan development: a chronological approach, 3rd edn, John Wiley
& Sons Australia, Milton, Qld.
Kar, K, Choudhury, A, Singh, P 2015, ‘Understanding normal development of adolescent
sexuality: A bumpy ride’, Vol 8. Journal of human reproductive sciences, viewed
26thDecember 2019,DOI: 10.4103/0974-1208.158594
Kipke, M 1999, ‘Adolescent Development and the Biology of Puberty: Summary of a
Workshop on New Research’, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, viewed 26thDecember 2019.
https://doi.org/10.17226/9634
Paquette, D, Ryan, J 2001, ‘Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory’, National-Louis
University, viewed 26thDecember 2019
Stangor, C, Walinga, J 2014, introduction to Psychology – 1st Canadian Edition, 1st edn, BC
campus, Canada.
Stephanie, B, messager, S, James, A, et al. 2003, ‘The GPR54 Gene as a Regulator of
Puberty’, the new England journal of medicine, new England, viewed 26thDecember 2019
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa035322