Child and adolescent behavior is dependent on many factors, including youngsters' social and intellectual development, the behavior of their parents and peers, whether their neighborhood and school is safe, and how many limitations are imposed on them by their parents and other adults. Changing behavior can alarm parents, but "most young people pass through adolescence without appreciable turmoil in their lives," according to "Understanding Psychology", a college textbook.
Development
By the age of 6, children should "begin to make decisions about their behavior", child psychology expert Erik Erikson concluded, according to "Understanding Psychology". Erikson also concluded that children should become competent academically and socially between the ages of 6 and 12, and those who don't are more prone to bad and unsociable behavior. Adolescents attempt to discover who they are, and an individual who fails can become a "social deviant" with relationship problems, Erikson theorized.
Moral Reasoning
Young children's and adolescents' behavior is partly dependent on their intellectual development. Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg concluded that children go through three stages of moral reasoning, "Understanding Psychology" reports. Younger children understand black-and-white rules and often behave based on punishments and rewards. Preadolescents understand others' thinking and often behave based on how they can please people. Adolescents sometimes understand broad moral principles, such as justice. This can lead to them helping other people or challenging authority figures.
Family Problems
Family problems often have a dramatic effect on child and adolescent behavior, according to "An Invitation to Health", a college textbook. Younger children are more likely to be irritable, depressed and unsociable around peers. Adolescents are more likely to experiment with alcohol, cigarettes and sex. Studies of children with divorced parents show that they are more likely to be abused or neglected, exhibit emotional problems, do worse in school, use drugs and commit crimes, according to the textbook.
Theory
Psychologists have several opposing theories about what influences behavior, including nature vs. nurture, which is also known as heredity vs. environment, according to "Understanding Psychology". Nature advocates believe adolescents are programmed to behave in a self-absorbed way because they are biologically adults whose ancestors left home immediately after puberty. Nurture advocates point out that "the rate of suicide among teenagers has risen significantly over the past two decades" and blame stress caused by more family problems and a society that exposes youngsters to more adult situations and problems at a younger age.
Significance
Behavioral problems among children are often a symptom of depression and the ultimate significant event--the end of a life. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among adolescents, but the path toward suicide often begins years earlier, according to "Understanding Psychology". The warning signs of suicide include a sudden change in grades, a sudden change in time spent with friends, eating and sleeping problems, giving away prized possessions, discussions about death and self-destructive behavior, such as car accidents.
References
- "Understanding Psychology"; Robert Feldman; 2002
- "An Invitation to Health"; Dianne Hales; 2003
