adolescence
Definition
Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by increasing impulsive and sensation-seeking behaviours, accompanied by heightened risk-taking and reduced inhibition, as well as increased social-affective and social-cognitive maturation. During this formative period, young people become more adept at regulating their emotions and are increasingly aware of and responsive to socio-political events, making it a critical time for the development of political identity and attitudes. Adolescence is also marked by the ability to adjust decisions based on new information and to flexibly modify strategies in response to changing social environments, processes that depend on both cognitive and social-motivational capacities.
Sources: Tsomokos & Flouri (2023), Borghi et al. (2025)
Related Terms
Applications
Adolescence and Emotion Regulation
Throughout adolescence, young people become increasingly aware of and responsive to socio-political events. Future anxiety and political attitudes are significantly associated during adolescence, with these associations moderated by emotion regulation strategies and gender.
Sources: Borghi et al. (2025)
Adolescence and Decision-making
Adolescence is characterized by the developing ability to adjust decisions based on new information and feedback. Superior social cognitive abilities in childhood are positively associated with better reward-seeking strategies and decision-making during adolescence.
Sources: Tsomokos & Flouri (2023)
Adolescence and Political Attitudes
Young people are increasingly aware of and responsive to socio-political events during adolescence. Future anxiety during adolescence is significantly associated with political attitudes, including support for democratic principles, authoritarianism, and ideological self-classification, with these associations moderated by emotion regulation strategies and gender.
Sources: Borghi et al. (2025)
