Health Topics

During adolescence (between 12 and 18 years of age), the developing teenager acquires the ability to think systematically about all logical relationships within a problem. The transition from concrete thinking to formal logical operations occurs over time. Every adolescent progresses at varying rates in developing his / her ability to think in more complex ways. Each adolescent develops his / her own view of the world. Some adolescents may be able to apply logical operations to school work long before they are able to apply them to personal dilemmas. When emotional issues arise, they often interfere with an adolescent's ability to think in more complex ways. The ability to consider possibilities, as well as facts, may influence decision making, in either positive or negative ways.

Some common features indicating a progression from more simple to more complex cognitive development include the following:

Early Adolescence

During early adolescence, the use of more complex thinking is focused on personal decision making in school and home environments, including the following:

Middle Adolescence

With some experience in using more complex thinking processes, the focus of middle adolescence often expands to include more philosophical and futuristic concerns, including the following:

• Often questions and analyzes more extensively.
• Often analyzes more extensively.
• Thinks about and begins to form his / her own code of ethics (i.e., What do I think is right?).
• Thinks about different possibilities and begins to develop own identity (i.e., Who am I?).
• Thinks about and begins to systematically consider possible future goals (i.e., What do I want?).
• Thinks about and begins to make his / her own plans.
• Begins to think long term.
• Use of systematic thinking begins to influence relationships with others. 

Late Adolescence

During late adolescence, complex thinking processes are used to focus on less self-centered concepts as well as personal decision making, including the following:

• Increased thoughts about more global concepts such as justice, history and politics
• Develops idealistic views on specific topics or concerns. Debates and develops intolerance of opposing views.
• Begins to focus thinking on making career decisions.
• Begins to focus thinking on emerging role in adult society.

The following suggestions will help to encourage positive and healthy cognitive development in the adolescent:

• Assist adolescents in obtaining adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition.
• Include adolescents in discussions about a variety of topics, issues, and current events.
• Encourage adolescents to share ideas and thoughts with adults.
• Encourage adolescents to think independently and develop their own ideas.
• Assist adolescents in setting their own goals.
• Stimulate adolescents to think about possibilities of the future.
• Compliment and praise adolescents for well thought out decisions.
• Assist adolescents in re-evaluating poorly made decisions for themselves.