Cognitive Development in Adolescence

A series of flashcards designed to assist in reviewing key concepts related to cognitive development in adolescence.

Cognition

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Metacognition

Thinking about one's own thinking; involved in self-regulating cognitive processes.

Relativism

The view that points of view have no absolute truth or validity but rather have relative, subjective value according to differing perspectives.

Hypothetical thinking

The ability to think about possibilities, considering scenarios that encompass 'if-then' reasoning.

Abstract thinking

The ability to think about concepts and ideas that are not physically present or directly observable.

Adolescent egocentrism

A developmental stage characterized by an increased focus on oneself, often leading to a belief that one is unique and invulnerable.

Imaginary audience

The belief that one's behavior is being scrutinized by others, leading to heightened self-consciousness.

Personal fable

The belief held by some adolescents that they are special and unique, and therefore not subject to the rules governing others.

Multiple dimensions of thinking

The ability to view situations from various perspectives and appreciate the complexity of social interactions.

Piagetian perspective

A view of cognitive development that emphasizes qualitative changes in thinking through different stages.

Sensorimotor period

The first stage of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, occurring from birth to age 2.

Preoperational period

Piaget's second stage of cognitive development, spanning ages 2-5, characterized by symbolic thinking.

Concrete operations

Piaget's third stage, from ages 6 to early adolescence, where logical thinking develops but remains tied to concrete objects.

Formal operations

The final stage in Piaget's theory, beginning in early adolescence and characterized by the ability to think abstractly and systematically.

Competence vs. performance

The distinction between what individuals can do intellectually (competence) versus what they actually do in practice (performance).

Information processing perspective

A view of cognition that likens the mind to a computer and focuses on the processes of attention, memory, and organization.

Selective attention

The ability to focus on one stimulus while ignoring others.

Divided attention

The ability to pay attention to multiple stimuli simultaneously.

Working memory

A type of short-term memory that allows for the manipulation of information currently being processed.

Long-term memory

The ability to retain information over extended periods.

Autobiographical memory

The recollection of personally relevant events and experiences.

Reminiscence bump

The phenomenon where individuals remember more events from adolescence compared to other life stages.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around the axons of neurons, enhancing their connectivity and efficiency.

Brain plasticity

The brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience, especially during adolescence.

Synaptic pruning

The process of eliminating weaker synaptic contacts while strengthening others to improve brain efficiency.

Neurons

The basic building blocks of the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and the regulation of mood.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.

Functional connectivity

The degree to which different regions of the brain activate simultaneously and coordinate their activity.

Risk-taking

Engaging in behaviors that involve potential negative consequences often due to heightened sensation-seeking in adolescence.

Behavioral decision theory

An approach for understanding risk-taking behaviors based on systematic decision-making processes.

Zone of proximal development

Vygotsky's concept referring to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can achieve with guidance.

Scaffolding

A teaching method that involves providing support to students as they learn new skills.

Theory of mind

The ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, understanding that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from one's own.

Social cognition

The processes used to understand and respond to social interactions and the behaviors of others.

Adolescent autonomy

The ability of adolescents to make their choices and act independently, reflecting a developmental shift.

Sensation seeking

The tendency to pursue experiences that are novel and exciting, often seen in adolescents.

Adolescent vulnerability

The increased susceptibility of adolescents to engage in risky behaviors due to developmental factors.

Emotional arousal

Heightened emotional state that can impair cognitive functioning, especially during decision-making.

Psychosocial maturity

The level of emotional and social development in an individual that may continue to evolve well into young adulthood.

Cognitive development

The process through which individuals acquire the ability to think, learn, and process information.

Contextual influences

The social and environmental factors that impact decision-making and behavior.

Cognitive ability

The capacity to perform various mental tasks such as reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding.

Individual differences in intelligence

Variability in intellectual abilities among adolescents, influenced by genetics and environmental factors.

Cultural influences on intelligence

The impact of cultural background on the development and assessment of intelligence.

Impulsivity

The tendency to act on a whim without considering the consequences.

Social pressure

The influence exerted by society or peers to encourage certain behaviors.

Identity development

The evolving concept of self that individuals form through experiences and social interactions during adolescence.

Autonomy development

The process through which adolescents gain independence from parental authority.

Health risks

Potential negative outcomes or behaviors that can affect the physical or mental well-being of adolescents.

Reckless behavior

Actions taken without consideration for the potential negative consequences, commonly seen in adolescents.

Substance abuse

The harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and drugs.

Legal consciousness

An awareness and understanding of laws and rights that evolves during adolescence.

Peer dynamics

The patterns of interaction and relationships among peers that can influence behavior and attitudes.

Self-regulation

The ability to control one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the pursuit of long-term goals.

Impulse control

The ability to resist immediate temptations or urges in favor of more beneficial long-term outcomes.

Rebellion

A refusal to obey rules or authority, common in adolescence as part of identity development.

Comprehension of social norms

Understanding the unwritten rules and expectations that govern social interactions.

Adolescent brain maturation

The developmental changes occurring in the adolescent brain, particularly related to decision-making and emotional regulation.

Social evaluation

The process through which individuals assess and respond to others' perceptions and judgments.

Learning opportunities

Situations and experiences that facilitate skill development and cognitive growth.

Novelty seeking

The inclination to explore new experiences, particularly prevalent during adolescence.

Maturity gap

The difference between cognitive capability and emotional/social maturity in adolescents.

Subconscious influences

Underlying factors that affect decision-making without conscious awareness.

Social relationships

Interactions and connections between individuals that evolve throughout adolescence.

Behavioral patterns

Recurring practices or tendencies demonstrated in adolescents' actions and interactions.

Cognitive flexibility

The ability to adapt one's thinking in response to new information or changing circumstances.

Social constructs

Man-made concepts that shape understanding and behavior in social contexts.

Awareness of consequence

Recognition of the outcomes that co-occur with certain behaviors or decisions.

Practical application of cognition

Utilizing cognitive skills in everyday situations and decision-making.

Hierarchy of social interaction

The ranking of social relationships and how they influence status and behavior.

Judgment development

The gradual evolution of the ability to make considered decisions based on reasoning and evaluation.

Exposure to risk

The experience or potential of encountering dangerous or harmful situations.

Influence of experience

The impact that personal experiences have on growth and development.

Cognitive assessments

Evaluations of mental capabilities through tests and other measurement tools.

Engagement in learning

Active participation in educational activities that promote understanding and memory.

Rationale for behavior

The reasoning that explains why an individual acts in a particular way.

Communicative skills

The abilities necessary for effective exchange of thoughts and ideas.

Adolescent perception

How adolescents view themselves and their social environments.

Health education

Teaching about health-related behaviors and knowledge aimed at reducing risk.

Implication for behavior

The possible effects that certain actions or consequences can have on future behavior.

Functional development of the brain

The maturation of neural networks leading to improved cognitive functions.

Perception of authority

How adolescents understand and respond to figures of authority in their lives.

Social learning theory

A theory that suggests learning behavior occurs through observation and imitation of others.

Reasoning ability

The capacity to think logically and make connections among ideas.

Psychosocial factors

Elements that affect a person's social behavior and mental processes.

Integration of knowledge

The ability to synthesize information from different areas to form a coherent understanding.

Vygotskian theory

A framework emphasizing social interaction as a fundamental aspect of cognitive development.

Anticipated outcomes

Projected results of specific actions or behaviors.

Support systems

Resources and networks that provide assistance to individuals during development.

Peer influence

The impact that peers have on an individual's behaviors and choices.

Cultural contexts

The cultural background that shapes perspectives and behaviors.

Academic success

Achievement and competency in an educational setting.

Cognitive distortions

Faulty patterns of thinking that can influence behavior and emotions.

Social competence

The ability to interact effectively with others in a variety of social situations.

Experiential learning

Learning through reflection on doing, which is often seen in real-world situations.

Self-concept

An individual's perception of themselves, influenced by various social and personal factors.

Decision-making process

The steps individuals take to make decisions, including identifying options and evaluating outcomes.

Values and priorities

Principles and beliefs that guide an individual's actions and judgments.

Risk assessment

The process of identifying and evaluating risks involved in a situation.