How does your behavior changed during puberty?
During puberty, numerous physical, hormonal, and emotional changes occur, all of which can influence behavior. Some common behavior changes observed in many individuals include:
• Emotional fluctuations:**
- Increased sensitivity and mood swings, as hormone levels fluctuate.
• Impulsivity:**
- Increased risk-taking and impulsive behaviors due to underdevelopment of prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls planning and inhibition.
• Conflict with authority:**
- Increased desire for autonomy and independence can lead to conflicts with parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
• Self-consciousness:**
- Heightened awareness of physical appearance and self-perception, which can cause anxiety and embarrassment.
• Social interactions:**
- Growing interest in peer relationships and romantic attraction. Adolescents may become more selective in their friendships and focus on peer approval.
• Cognitive changes:**
- Enhanced abstract thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Sexuality:**
- Increased sexual thoughts and desires, leading to exploration of sexuality and romantic relationships.
• Identity exploration:**
- Experimentation with different identities and roles, as adolescents attempt to find their place in the world.
• Decision-making:**
- Increased susceptibility to peer influence and the tendency to make decisions based on immediate consequences rather than long-term outcomes.
• Risk-taking behavior:**
- Increased involvement in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, unsafe sex, and delinquent activities.
It's important to note that the intensity and manifestation of these behaviors can vary significantly among individuals, and not all adolescents experience all these changes to the same extent. Many of the challenges and changes during puberty arise from the natural developmental processes of adolescence and usually subside over time as individuals mature.