Adolescence and High School Learner Development

Vocabulary flashcards on physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development during adolescence.

Adolescence

The transitional period between childhood and adulthood involving major changes in the body, thinking, emotions, relationships, and sense of identity.

Puberty

The biological process through which the body becomes sexually mature.

Secular Trend

Long-term changes in the timing and pattern of physical growth and maturation across generations.

Self-Esteem

Refers to how individuals evaluate and value themselves.

Body Image

Refers to how a person perceives, thinks, and feels about their body.

Formal Operational Stage

A stage of cognitive development defined by Jean Piaget in which adolescents gain the ability to think abstractly, reason hypothetically, consider possibilities, use systematic problem-solving, understand complex relationships, and think about one's own thinking.

Siegler's Information-Processing Perspective

Robert Siegler's perspective emphasizing how thinking becomes more efficient as learners develop strategies for attention, memory, problem-solving, information organization, strategy selection, and decision-making.

Metacognition

Thinking about one's own thinking, which includes planning how to study, monitoring understanding, identifying gaps in knowledge, evaluating performance, and changing ineffective strategies.

Overachievement

Occurs when academic performance exceeds what might be expected based on previous indicators or circumstances.

Underachievement

Occurs when a learner performs below their demonstrated ability or potential.

Emotions

Complex responses involving feelings, thoughts, physiological changes, and behaviors.

Social Emotions

Emotions that develop through interactions with other people, including empathy, guilt, shame, pride, jealousy, and compassion.