Lecture
L.S. Vygotsky considered the essence of adolescence to be the non-coincidence of three points of maturation: «Sexual maturation begins and ends earlier than the completion of the adolescent's general organic development, and earlier than the adolescent reaches the final stage of his socio-cultural formation». He identified typical traits of the adolescent: the emergence of introspection leading to self-analysis; the appearance of a special interest in one's own experiences, dissatisfaction with the outside world, withdrawal into oneself, the emergence of a sense of exceptionality, a striving for self-assertion, setting oneself against others, and conflicts with them. In other words, behavioural deviations may be linked to the changes taking place in the adolescent's personality. Since psychophysical, mental, social and emotional development is distinguished by qualitative uniqueness, it largely determines all the further features of the adolescent's growing-up and behaviour.
Adolescence is a period of intense physical, emotional and psychological change. During this period the adolescent's personality is formed, and various psychological features are associated with it:
Identity and self-discovery: Adolescents begin to ask themselves questions about their identity, goals, interests and values. They search for their role in the world and try to determine who they really are.
Emotional instability: Because of intense physiological and hormonal changes, adolescents often experience mood swings, emotional outbursts and vulnerability.
Social orientation: At this age, belonging to social groups, friendship and relationships with peers become important. Relationships and social interaction take on significance.
Risky behaviour: Adolescents are often inclined toward experimentation and risky actions connected with trying to understand themselves and the world. This may include experimenting with alcohol, drugs, sexuality and other aspects.
Self-esteem and self-understanding: Adolescents can fluctuate greatly in their self-evaluation, experience insecurity and compare themselves with others.
Development of moral values: Adolescents begin to form their moral beliefs and values, to evaluate good and evil, and to understand social norms and rules.
The search for autonomy: Adolescents strive for greater independence and control over their own lives. They may fight for the right to make decisions and manage their own affairs independently.
Cognitive changes: Adolescents begin to develop abstract thinking, critical thinking and the ability to consider complex issues from different points of view.
The striving for psychological independence: Adolescents want to understand themselves as separate individuals and to be able to make decisions that are not always directly tied to adults' opinions.
Experimenting with roles: Adolescents may change their interests, styles of dress, musical preferences and other aspects while experimenting with different roles.
The chief new formation of adolescence is a contradictory sense of adulthood, accompanied by protests against guardianship, control and «unjust» punishment by adults. Disagreements over tastes, views and questions of morality frequently arise. The cause of conflicts lies not only in the immaturity of adolescents but also in the psychology of adults, who are unwilling to notice the changes taking place in the adolescent's inner world.
An extremely important factor is the adolescent's communication with peers, in the course of which he «draws» the necessary knowledge about life that, for one reason or another, he did not receive from adults. The peer group develops skills of social interaction. Belonging to a group of friends boosts self-confidence and provides an opportunity for self-assertion. By orienting himself toward his peers, the adolescent cultivates in himself the qualities that are especially valued by his companions. A «re-evaluation of values» takes place, in the course of which the norms and criteria accepted within the peer circle become more significant.
It is important to understand and take these psychological features into account when interacting with adolescents, when devising appropriate educational and upbringing strategies, and when providing support during this difficult period of development.
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