Immature Characteristics Of Adolescent Thinking According To Elkind
The immature characteristics of adolescent thinking have been analyzed by various psychologists throughout history. David Elkind (born March 11, 1931) was one of the pioneers to study this aspect in depth.
The child psychologist has built and fostered his works in the fields of child biology and psychology. In them, Elkind identified immature behaviors and attitudes in adolescents.
Egocentric attitudes of adolescents
Elkind explains that, during adolescence, young people are not able to accept some realities or listen to other people’s opinions.
This excessive valuation of reality causes a continuous concern and selfish attitude for themselves, in which they take into account external opinions or criticisms.
The psychologist identifies several reasons that explain why adolescents experience this self-centered attitude:
- Adolescents are often faced with new social environments that feed their ego.
- The development of personal identity causes that, at times, the adolescent goes through a high level of exclusivity.
- The rejection they feel towards parents causes them to experience high levels of self-awareness.
- During this growth process, young people are considered unique and invulnerable individuals.
Immature characteristics of adolescent thinking
According to Elkind, the immaturity of adolescent thinking is manifested in at least 6 characteristics:
1. Idealism and critical character
Adolescents constantly idealize the projection of their person. As they get older, they realize that it is far from being an ideal world.
Their critical capacity with what surrounds them is very great. They consider that they have more knowledge than their parents, to whom they constantly find defects.
2. Tendency to argue
Teenagers have an overwhelming ability to argue. According to Elkind, discussions are produced by the constant search for an opportunity to demonstrate new reasoning skills.
This attitude can be observed when trying to solve a problem, since it is a good time to try to prove that they are always right.
3. Indecision
Lack of experience and judgment causes adolescents to lack decision. Insecure about the opportunities that life offers them, young people find it difficult to decide how to act in the most appropriate way.
Therefore, the lack of effective strategies hinders decision-making and makes young people spend more time trying to discern what to do or, they choose the first thing that comes to mind. This means that indecision can lead to short-term impulsiveness.
Another possible attitude on the part of the adolescent is to look for the easiest way to skip the decision-making process. You would simply avoid even thinking about the problem, so you don’t have to find a solution.
4. Apparent hypocrisy
Adolescents can make unimaginable sacrifices to express an ideal. Sometimes they do not recognize the difference between the expression of an ideal and the sacrifices required to achieve it.
5. Self-awareness
Sometimes adolescents believe that others think frequently about them, which causes them to be very aware of being observed. Also, they act as if the world revolves around them.
The imaginary audience
This concept refers to the excessive conscience of adolescents and their conviction that they awaken in others an interest equal to the one they feel for themselves.
At that time, adolescents try to attract attention, in their attempt to achieve acceptance and social recognition.
6. Be invulnerable
Teens feel special and unique; and they believe that the rules that other people follow do not go with them. This form of self-centeredness involves dangerous and self-destructive behavior.
The personal fable
Adolescents consider themselves invulnerable, which is why they may come to believe that no one can understand their feelings. Therefore, it is normal for them to have certain self-esteem problems.
Many teens believe that only they are capable of feeling things the way they do. Ultimately, David Elkind deciphered the origin of some immature characteristics of adolescent thinking.
It is important that you take them into account, in order to facilitate and contribute to the development of your child.
