General Characteristics

• Testing limits; a “know-it-all” attitude
• Vulnerable; emotionally insecure; fear of rejection; mood swings
• Identification with admired adults
• Bodies going through physical changes that affect personal appearance

Physical Characteristics

• Very concerned about their appearance; very self conscious about their physical changes
• May have bad diet and sleep habits and, as a result, low energy levels
• Often a rapid weight gain at beginning of adolescence; enormous appetite

Social Characteristics

• Friends set the general rules of behavior
• Feel a strong need to conform; dress and behave like their peers in order to “belong”
• Very concerned with what others say and think about them
• Have a tendency to try to manipulate others to get what they want
• Go to extremes; often appear to be unstable emotionally while having a “know-it-all” attitude
• Fear of ridicule and of being unpopular
• Strong identification with admired adults

Emotional Characteristics

• Very sensitive to praise and recognition; feelings are easily hurt
• Caught between being a child and being an adult
• Loud behavior may hide their lack of self confidence
• Look at the world more objectively; look at adults more subjectively and are critical of them

Mental Characteristics

• Can better understand moral principles
• May have lengthy attention spans