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Development of the self-concept during adolescence.
Catherine Sebastian1, Stephanie Burnett, Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
1UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, 17 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR, UK.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|September 23, 2008
Summary
Adolescence significantly reshapes the sense of self, with brain activity in self-processing regions changing. This neurocognitive development explains adolescent self-consciousness and peer influence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by profound changes in the sense of self.
- Understanding the self-concept's evolution during adolescence is crucial for developmental and social psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent behavioral and neuroimaging studies on adolescent self-concept development.
- To integrate neurocognitive findings with existing psychological theories of adolescence.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent behavioral studies.
- Analysis of neuroimaging research focusing on self-processing brain regions.
- Integration of findings from developmental and social psychology.
Main Results:
- Adolescence is a key period for the development of the self and associated neural structures.
- Neuroimaging reveals changes in brain regions like the medial prefrontal cortex during adolescent self-processing.
- Neurocognitive development correlates with adolescent behaviors like heightened self-consciousness and peer influence.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent self-concept undergoes significant transformation, supported by evolving neural structures.
- Neurocognitive changes during adolescence contribute to characteristic behavioral patterns.
- Integrating neurocognitive and psychological perspectives offers a comprehensive understanding of adolescent self-development.
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