Growth Characteristics in Children and Adolescents - Essay Example

The physical aspects of the self increasingly become less and less important as the psychological aspects take over with more important inner reflections and introspections. With more understanding of the self-understanding, they are more likely than children to note and appropriately respond to contextual or situational changesStructural changes in the brain during adolescenceSeveral areas of the brain undergo transformative realignment during the transition to adolescence.

Among the notable structural changes in the brain during this period include a decrease in gray matter in the prefrontal regions of the brain. These anatomical changes referred to in the medical field as synaptic pruning kicks off the elimination of unused connections between neurons; a process believably underpins the improvements in basic cognitive abilities and logical reasoning. Another important change in the brain during adolescence is the increased dopaminergic activity in pathways that connect the limbic system.

The dopamine receptors become densely distributed within the prefrontal cortex; regions where emotions are processed and rewards and punishments experienced. Dopamine plays a critical role in the judgment of experiences, thus the explanation for sensation-seeking through experimentation. Finally, there is an increase of white matter in the very same prefrontal cortex of the brain during adolescence via a process known as myelination; the process through which nerve fibers become sheathed in myelin for more efficient neural connectivity within the region.

This is an important adjustment for higher-order cognitive functions such as weighing risks, and advanced planning among other complicated decisions. The differences that exist between friendships in childhood and friendships in adolescence begin with, children interacting/playing with friends within the vicinity of their environment and/or those chosen for them by those around them, mostly their parents. To be specific, such friends are usually close relatives or those from neighboring families.

Such fiends are generally playmates, with no strings for long-term attachments; they [children] view friendship as an event of the present and not as a meaningful relationship that may overlap into the future. Further more or less tend to initiate play with children of the same age bracket and gender, having the same interests in the plays they engage in. In contrast, friendships in adolescents are based quite differently from the generally constructed relationships during childhood. Adolescents are more symmetrical in their friendships, and often share and/or exchange knowledge in the very same process.

Unlike children, adolescent friendships develop more intimate and meaningful relationships that may extend into the future.