Welcome to the Psychology of Teenagers!
When I meet people for the first time and I’m asked what I do for a living, I typically reply, “I am an adolescent counselor” to which people all too frequently respond, “Are you nuts?!”
I wouldn’t describe myself as nuts (not just yet) and I find my work very rewarding, but working with teenagers tests your patience!
Teens often give off the impression that they are stressed, unsure of themselves, and frustrated. But considering that they are dealing with drastically changing bodies in an increasingly technological society, it is understandable why adolescence is so awkward.
If you could relive any period in your life, what would it be? You may choose your childhood, or maybe the first time you felt self-sufficient. You may look back on your carefree college days and smile. Perhaps you reminisce of the days when your adolescent children where once innocent little babies.
The fact of the matter is that virtually no one wants to relieve their teen years and for totally legitimate reasons! Do you remember your awkward teen years?
A colleague of mine once told me that middle school is the range of strange. As a professional working with teens, you see kids varying on a spectrum in regards to their physical, emotional, and social development. In comparison to each other, teens drastically differ in terms of their intelligence, maturity, height, confidence, self-esteem, athleticism, awkwardness, etc. It isn’t until their later high school years when teens’ development tends to plateau and less inter-peer differences are noticeable.
You may be a teenager. You may have a teenager. You may anticipate one day having a teenager or you may just be interested in learning more about teenagers. So to help you better under the psychology of teenagers, in addition to helping you navigate through the range of the strange, I will be providing you with tips, stories, research, statistics, and yes humor to help make those teen years just a bit more enjoyable.
Copyright Ann L. Naragon, Ph.D. 2010
photo credit: sacha.frampton
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Last reviewed: 8 Nov 2010
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Site last updated: 19 Jun 2013
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I was kind of struggling to understand what popularity was and I found both your post and another researcher who defines popularity: http://www.mayeuxresearch.com/2008/09/what-is-popularity-anyway/ Between both, there’s a good perspective on teenagers and popularity.
Hi,I just read your view on teenagers, so thought of seeking some advice from you. I am working on project in college about “Interior makeover services of teenagers”. To the some extent I have figured out mindset of teens, but at times still get stuck what can I design for them. It would be great if you can advice something about it.Thanks..Nikita