Question

Briefly describe how an adolescent's thinking is different from that of younger children ?

Answer 1

The adolescent brain is more advanced and matured as compared to the developing brain and the thoughts of younger children. Hence, the adolescents think about the thinking process itself. Their thinking is more intellectual and has a multi-dimensional complex pattern. They can weigh various possibilities. The thinking of younger children does not involve much of a relativity, reasoning, and logic. Adolescents use a critical thinking while taking any decision based on their idea of justice and the past experiences. They can introspect by being aware of the self-consciousness. Also, they are more critical of themselves. because they strive to attain a sense of identity. Since the younger children are inexperienced, their thoughts do not involve a greater sense of justice and morality.

The adolescents are able to weigh all the possibilities by thinking hypothetically. Hence, their thinking is not limited. The adolescents are under a constant peer pressure which involves emotional and hormonal transition which affects their thinking. Also, they can have a better comprehension of thoughts by the understanding of abstract ideas as opposed to thinking based upon only the direct observations amongst the younger children. The younger children cannot interpret things from different perspectives. This is the main reason why the children think in only black or white zone whereas the adolescents can extend their thinking to grey zones.