Psychology

Puberty

The period of sexual maturation during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

Menarche

A female's first menstrual period, marking a major milestone in biological maturity.

Spermarche

A male's first ejaculation, typically occurring during nocturnal emissions

Asynchrony

The uneven growth of bodily parts during puberty, where hands, feet, or limbs grow at different rates than the rest of the body.

Abstract thinking

The ability to think about complex concepts that are not physically present, such as justice, philosophy, and future possibilities.

Self-consciousness

An intense awareness of oneself, often driven by the belief that others are constantly watching and judging (the "imaginary audience").

Argumentativeness

The tendency to frequently practice new reasoning skills by debating viewpoints, often challenging authority figures or parental rules

Rationalization

A psychological defense mechanism where an individual creates logical excuses to justify unacceptable behaviors or feelings

Identity crisis

A period of intense self-examination and decision-making where an adolescent actively struggles to find their unique identity.

Identity foreclosure

An identity status where an individual commits to an identity handed down by authority figures (like parents) without exploring options on their own.

Identity moratorium

• An identity status where an individual is actively exploring options but has not yet made a firm commitment to an identity.

Identity confused

An identity status (also called identity diffusion) where an individual has not explored options and has made no identity commitments, often leading to a lack of direction.

Clique

A small, exclusive group of people with shared interests who interact frequently and separate themselves from others.

Conformity

The act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms or societal expectations.

Initiation rites

Rituals or ceremonies that mark a transition from one social status to another, most commonly from childhood to adulthood.

Adolescent rebellion

A developmental phase where teens challenge societal or parental expectations to establish autonomy and independence.

Social learning theory

• A psychological theory stating that people learn behaviors by observing and imitating others in their environment.

Anorexia nervosa

A serious eating disorder characterized by severe self-starvation and an intense fear of gaining weight. (fear of growing up)

Bulimia nervosa

• A serious eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviors like self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.

self fulfilling prophecy

Theorists speculate that the reason that…

due to a deep mix of identity loss, biological protective instincts, and fear of the unknown

Why parents have tough time letting their children go