Theories Of Adolescent Development

Adolescence is both universal and culturally constructed, resulting in diverse views about its defining characteristics. Theories of Adolescent Development brings together many theories surrounding this life stage in one comprehensive reference. It begins with an introduction to the nature of theory in the field of adolescence including an analysis of why there are so many theories in this field. The theory chapters are grouped into three sections: biological systems, psychological systems, and societal systems. Each chapter considers a family of theories including scope, assumptions, key concepts, contributions to the study of adolescence, approaches to measurement, applications, and a discussion of strengths and limitations of this family. A concluding chapter offers an integrative analysis, identifying five assumptions drawn from the theories that are essential guides for future research and application. Three questions provide a focus for comparison and contrast: How do the theories characterize the time and timing of adolescence? What do the theories emphasize as domains that are unfolding in movement toward maturity? Building on the perspective of Positive Youth Development, how do the theories differ in their views of developmental resources and conditions that may undermine development in adolescence? Includes biological, psychological and sociological theories Identifies historical roots, assumptions, key concepts, applications, measurement, strengths, and limitations of each theory Compares and contrasts theories Concludes with an integrated perspective across theories

Adolescenceâ€"beginning with the onset of puberty and ending in the mid-20sâ€"is a critical period of development during which key areas of the brain mature and develop. These changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity mark adolescence as a period of opportunity to discover new vistas, to form relationships with peers and adults, and to explore one's developing identity. It is also a period of resilience that can ameliorate childhood setbacks and set the stage for a thriving trajectory over the life course. Because adolescents comprise nearly one-fourth of the entire U.S. population, the nation needs policies and practices that will better leverage these developmental opportunities to harness the promise of adolescenceâ€"rather than focusing myopically on containing its risks. This report examines the neurobiological and socio-behavioral science of adolescent development and outlines how this knowledge can be applied, both to promote adolescent well-being, resilience, and development, and to rectify structural barriers and inequalities in opportunity, enabling all adolescents to flourish.

Though the first edition of Theories of Adolescence was published by Random House a quarter of a century ago, the need for the continuous revisions of the book demonstrated both the importance of theories in understanding psychological phenomena and the ever changing nature of the field. Not only are new theories continuously emerging, but the nature of those theories of development has changed as well. Because few new macro-theories such as Freud's, Erikson's, and Piaget's have recently been proposed, one may be inclined to think that the era of global theories is part of history. However, as closer look reveals that numerous micro-theories have emerged, theories that focus on a more narrowly defined specific dimension of adolescent development, theories often intensively researched. The current edition of Theories of Adolescence reflects these developments.

Adolescence is one of the most fascinating and complex transitions in the human life span. Its breathtaking pace of growth and change is second only to that of infancy. Over the last two decades, the research base in the field of adolescence has had its own growth spurt. New studies have provided fresh insights while theoretical assumptions have changed and matured. This summary of an important 1998 workshop reviews key findings and addresses the most pressing research challenges.

Adolescence is a turbulent period to live through, and a time of importance and concern to parents, teachers, and social workers. Marking the transition from the world of childhood to adult life, the adolescent faces many challenges and opportunities, including forming their own identity, relating to often conflicting demands from parents and peers, and negotiating first romantic relationships. In this Very Short Introduction, Peter K. Smith provides an engaging and informative overview of what we know and what we are learning about adolescence. Including both a guide to the classical research that has informed our knowledge, as well as the results of the modern research into the contemporary adolescent experience, Smith examines a number of aspects of adolescence, including the cultural and historical context, the biological changes to the adolescent brain, and the controversies that adolescence brings. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The authoritative, multi-volume reference work on child and adolescent development and psychology The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development presents the major theories, key concepts, disorders, and evidence-based practices of the field. Covering infancy through adolescence and emerging adulthood, this important work outlines major areas of research and examines specific topics, ongoing controversies, and current work being done by leaders in the field. The first work on the topic of its scale, the Encyclopedia offers scholarly, authoritative information from an international team of experts that spans ten volumes. The content of the encyclopedia is organized in two main parts—Child and Adolescent—and ten subparts. The first six volumes focus on topics of growth, behavior, cognition, emotion, family, and community in child development. The final four volumes explore the history, theory, and culture of adolescent development, biology and cognition, social contexts, and of the development of the self in adolescence and emerging adulthood. Each entry contains an accessible introduction to basic concepts as well as sophisticated debates in contentious areas and ongoing research on each topic. Designed to be the first and principal resource for students, researchers and practitioners in the field, this unique work: Presents the largest, most up-to-date reference work focused on child and adolescent development presently available Provides comprehensive coverage of major topics rather than a very large number of briefer entries and more trivial topics Covers mental health disorders that are defined by the current DSM-5 Examines concepts related to the historical and social context of child and adolescent development Addresses culture and its effect on child and adolescent development Emphasizes evidence-based practices The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development is an indispensable work for students and practitioners in fields such as psychology, sociology, social work, human development, medicine and biological sciences, education, law, and history, as well as general readers with interest in the field.

A renowned text, THEORIES OF ADOLESCENCE provides students with a concise, well written, illustrated and readable description of the essence of major theoretical positions (both historical and contemporary) about adolescence and about the phenomena of adolescence and development in general. This one-of-a-kind text focuses solely on the theories of adolescence, giving thorough coverage to all the major theories through 14 topic areas.