List the characteristic features of adolescent behaviour

Behaviour is the way in which an individual carries out his activities. Behaviour of an individual is influenced by the internal body environment as well as external environment around him.

Adolescent behaviour has been studied from very early times. Plato characterised the adolescents to be argumentative and easily excitable while Aristotle described them as impulsive, prone to excess and exaggeration and lacking self-restraint. The period of adolescence in the life of an individual is characterised as problematic and has been studied for a long time.

Adolescents are characterised by :

1. Anxiety

2. Mood swings

3. Confusion/Indecision

4. Lethargy

5. Argumentation

6. Anger/Irritability

7. Experimentation

1. Anxiety:

Is a psychological and physiological state characterised by cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioural components. These components combine to create an unpleasant feeling that is typically associated with uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry. Anxiety is a generalised mood condition that can often occur without an identifiable triggering stimulus.

As such, it is distinguished from fear, which occurs in the presence of an observed threat. Additionally, fear is related to the specific behaviours of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is the result of threats that are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable.

Another view is that anxiety is “a future-oriented mood state in which one is ready or prepared to attempt to cope with upcoming negative events” suggesting that it is a distinction between future versus present dangers that divides anxiety and fear. Anxiety is considered to be a normal reaction to stress.

Passer suggests that anxiety is the state of tension and apprehension that is a natural response to perceived threat. It may help a person to deal with a difficult situation, for example at work or at school, by prompting one to cope with it. When anxiety becomes excessive, it may fall under the classification of an anxiety disorder.

2. Mood swings:

The adolescents are characterised as moody. Sometimes they feel pleasant and on the other times they are depressed. This is due to their disturbed physiological condition because of effect of hormones.

3. Confusion/Indecision:

Erickson characterises the adolescents with identity versus confusion crisis. The physical and intellectual changes during adolescence disturb their sense of continuity and personal wholeness.

They pay great attention on how other people view them. Their choices are usually supported by the reactions of parents and other people. They are not able to make decisions and keep on changing their roles. So they are said to be in state of confusion/indecision.

4. Lethargy:

Adolescents tend not to eat properly and rapid pace of their growth makes them undernourished. As a result they become weak and lethargic.

5. Argumentation:

Adolescents are greatly influenced by peers and they enjoy doing things with their group. Since they are growing up they want to take decisions themselves and want to do things their way, while adults (parents and teachers) want them to behave like mature individuals. This tends to arguments between them.

6. Anger/irritability:

In adolescents, thwarting of desires, interruption of activities in progress, constant fault finding, teasing, lecturing, or making unfavourable comparisons with other children lead to anger. Older children when fail to realise their goals, they become angry at themselves or at the people they believe have stool in their way.

7. Experimentation:

Adolescents show risk taking behaviour. They want to try doing different things. They are greatly influenced by their peer group. They want to be viewed as adults and tend to indulge in, alcoholism and even drug abuse. They may even want to indulge in sexual activity, which make them prone to STIs and AIDS.