Related Concept Videos
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
Piaget's Stage 4 of Cognitive Development
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
A Fifteen-year Pattern of Patient-Doctor Contact among "Static" General-practice Patients.
Cardiology: the development of a managed clinical network.
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
The adolescent as theorist: An interpretive view.
1Centre for Behavioural Studies in Education, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., Australia.
This study views adolescents as "theorists" in everyday life, contrasting this with Piagetian theory. It highlights their practical world-building and sense-making skills as active cultural participants.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Studies
Background:
- Traditional views often overlook adolescents' theoretical capabilities.
- Piagetian theory focuses on cognitive stages, potentially limiting the understanding of adolescent reasoning.
- Interpretive sociology offers a framework to view individuals as active meaning-makers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel conceptualization of adolescents as "theorists."
- To contrast this sociological perspective with existing Piagetian developmental theory.
- To illustrate the practical, everyday nature of adolescent theoretical activity.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis drawing from interpretive sociology.
- Contrastive analysis with Piagetian theory.
More Related Videos
Main Results:
- Adolescents engage in practical, occasioned theoretical activity in everyday settings.
- This perspective frames adolescents as active world-builders and sense-makers.
- Adolescents utilize cultural resources similarly to other competent members of society.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents function as "theorists" by actively constructing their understanding of the world.
- This sociological lens enriches developmental psychology by emphasizing practical reasoning.
- Understanding adolescents as theorists supports their role as competent cultural practitioners.

