CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

Adapted from Advisory Middle Grades/Advisee/Advisor Program by Imogene Forte and Sandra Schurr. Nashville, TN: Incentive Publications, 1991. Used by permission. Compliments of the Oxford Hills Middle School, South Paris, Maine

Physical Characteristics

  1. Experience irregular growth spurts in physical development
  2. Experience fluctuations in basal metabolism causing restlessness and listlessness
  3. Have ravenous appetites
  4. Mature at varying rates of speed
  5. Highly disturbed by body changes

Intellectual Characteristics

  1. Are highly curious
  2. Prefer active over passive learning experiences
  3. Relate to real-life problems and situations
  4. Are egocentric
  5. Experience meta-cognition (the ability to analyze complex thought processes)

Psychological Characteristics

  1. Are often erratic and inconsistent in behavior
  2. Are highly sensitive to criticism
  3. Are moody, restless, and self-conscious
  4. Are optimistic and hopeful
  5. Are searching for identity and acceptance from peers

Social Characteristics

  1. Are rebellious towards parents and authority figures
  2. Are confused and frightened by new school/social settings
  3. Are fiercely loyal to peer group values
  4. Are often aggressive and argumentative
  5. Need frequent affirmation or love from adults

Moral and Ethical Characteristics

  1. Are idealistic
  2. Have strong sense of fairness
  3. Are reflective and introspective in thoughts
  4. Confront moral and ethical questions head on
  5. Ask large, ambiguous questions about the meaning of life