The article “Young Adolescents’ Developmental Characteristics” published by the National Middle School Association describes five developmental categories teenagers undergo. While these stages are complementary and overlap, the generalizations serve as an adequate basis for understanding young adolescent behavior and growth. An useful source to observe the characteristics is modern movies, including Clueless, a 1995 film directed by Amy Heckerling. The high school drama displays several examples of the five developmental characteristics: physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, and social domains. During early adolescence, the body experiences vast developmental maturation. Physical development comprises changes including
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One must look past others’ opinions in order to truly come to terms with one’s self; however, this task is difficult for many young adolescents (Zimbardo 390). Individuals struggle to find an unique adult identity while striving to maintain peer approval. On the path to self-discovery, feelings of vulnerability may arise as individuals become more aware of the differences between others and themselves. Adolescents are likely to be moody and exhibit inconsistent behavior, which commonly lead to conflicts with parents or friends, engagement in risky behavior, and problems with self-esteem (NMSA 3-4). However, for most young people, adolescence is not a “period of turmoil” as it is occasionally referred to. Characterized by loneliness, depression, and shyness, this period in development is known for forming juvenile delinquents and increased suicide rates. In reality, only a small percentage of the population undergo such emotional mayhem (Zimbardo …show more content…
Each person in high school belongs to some level of the social hierarchy. The groups Cher and Dionne instruct Tai about are the news crew, the “Persian Mafia,” (Clueless) and the popular boys. Furthermore, they tell her that the popular boys are “the only acceptable ones” (Clueless) to date in high school. Who an individual associates with plays a large role in determining who they are. One’s relationships, whether they be based on popularity or true friendship, give insight to one’s identity. In some cases, people are forced to change themselves, as Tai does when Cher tells her to stop smoking, in order to match what is expected of them from their peers. In addition, there are several girls walking around with gauze to cover their healing nose jobs. An important aspect of adolescent social development is the need to fit into the norm. In this case, the social norm for teenagers of Beverly Hills is to be spoiled rotten and use their parents money. Since they are so close to celebrities, they are most likely strongly influenced by the perfection that the media
One must look past others’ opinions in order to truly come to terms with one’s self; however, this task is difficult for many young adolescents (Zimbardo 390). Individuals struggle to find an unique adult identity while striving to maintain peer approval. On the path to self-discovery, feelings of vulnerability may arise as individuals become more aware of the differences between others and themselves. Adolescents are likely to be moody and exhibit inconsistent behavior, which commonly lead to conflicts with parents or friends, engagement in risky behavior, and problems with self-esteem (NMSA 3-4). However, for most young people, adolescence is not a “period of turmoil” as it is occasionally referred to. Characterized by loneliness, depression, and shyness, this period in development is known for forming juvenile delinquents and increased suicide rates. In reality, only a small percentage of the population undergo such emotional mayhem (Zimbardo …show more content…
Each person in high school belongs to some level of the social hierarchy. The groups Cher and Dionne instruct Tai about are the news crew, the “Persian Mafia,” (Clueless) and the popular boys. Furthermore, they tell her that the popular boys are “the only acceptable ones” (Clueless) to date in high school. Who an individual associates with plays a large role in determining who they are. One’s relationships, whether they be based on popularity or true friendship, give insight to one’s identity. In some cases, people are forced to change themselves, as Tai does when Cher tells her to stop smoking, in order to match what is expected of them from their peers. In addition, there are several girls walking around with gauze to cover their healing nose jobs. An important aspect of adolescent social development is the need to fit into the norm. In this case, the social norm for teenagers of Beverly Hills is to be spoiled rotten and use their parents money. Since they are so close to celebrities, they are most likely strongly influenced by the perfection that the media