Many young people are inclined toward risk taking and also toward helping other people. "Prosocial risk taking" is a term that can describe different ways that youth provide significant instrumental and emotional support to family members, friends, and strangers, even when it involves a personal risk. In this article, we review research…

The brain undergoes profound development across childhood and adolescence, including continuous changes in brain morphology, connectivity, and functioning that are, in part, dependent on one's experiences. These neurobiological changes are accompanied by significant changes in children's and adolescents' cognitive learning. By drawing from studies…

This article reviews developmental studies of creativity in children and adolescents with a focus on "peaks" and "slumps" that have often been described in the literature. The irregularity of the development of creativity is interpreted in light of conceptual and measurement issues and with regard to the interaction between…

Maintains that the findings of the Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development are consistent with theoretical expectations and previous research outcomes. Uses the Utrecht data to analyze hypothesized age differences in patterns of intraindividual identity status change. Discusses possible explanations for the partial failure to confirm this aspect…

Examines similarities and differences between American and Dutch research on identity formation and psychological well-being in adolescent and young adults. Concludes that identity development is systematically progressive and may be described with the trajectory diffusion?closure/moratorium?achieving commitment. Age differences are found in the…

The authors focus on the moral development of the early adolescent (ages 10 to 15). The ways in which early adolescents develop morally, social influences on such development, and the expression of morality behaviorally are discussed. (Editor/KC)

Counseling may be developmental, preventive or crisis-oriented. Counselors using a developmental approach to school counseling recognize that human development is characterized by stages containing different psychosocial crises and different developmental tasks. High school students are predominantly in the early adolescent stage, characterized by…

The study of the role of students' interest in their learning has seen a resurgence in the past 20 years. This chapter examines the ways in which adolescents' interests develop, differ from those of younger children, and contribute to their developing sense of self. The chapter helps to explain why many adolescents lack academic interests and how…

Discusses adolescent depression, suicide and parasuicidal behavior and suggests that these behaviors appear in a predetermined sequence. Uses a developmental perspective to weave together two patterns: identity formation, and a three-phase process of adolescent maturation specific to each individual. Attempts to integrate clinical findings and…

The articles of this special edition on education and development in adolescence share some common themes, raise points for debate, and offer new research ideas. Common themes emphasize the following: (1) diversity among adolescents; (2) simultaneity of multiple forms of development; and (3) multiple environmental influences on adolescents. (SLD)

This paper reviews the research literature on factors contributing to adolescent emotional well-being, focusing on generalized mood/affective states, emotion regulation and coping, and feelings about self, including self-esteem, self-efficacy, and locus of control. Each construct is defined and evidence from research is presented to indicate the…

Despite the apparent universality of loneliness and its link to psychosocial maladjustment, research on loneliness has emerged rather recently in the history of psychology. This book brings together varied theories and lines of research on loneliness among children and adolescents to provide a source for future research. The chapters are: (1)…

Although the structure of modern society has both prolonged adolescence and exacerbated some of its tasks and challenges, the majority of adolescents successfully negotiate this period and mature in a relatively healthy manner. Nevertheless, significant numbers of adolescents find the challenges overwhelming, experience great conflict, and wind up…