The intellectual characteristics of adolescents encompass several notable features that distinguish them from children. Here are the key intellectual characteristics of adolescents:
A. Ability to Generalize Facts: Adolescents move beyond concrete thinking and develop the capacity to generalize concepts. For instance, they can reason that if an elderly person falls ill and their financially independent child is absent, there’s a higher likelihood of a serious outcome. They can also grasp and discuss abstract concepts such as justice, law, democracy, and capitalism.
B. Increased Ability in Understanding: Adolescents demonstrate improved reasoning skills and engage in deeper thinking compared to their childhood years. They can tackle complex problems and participate in critical discussions about both national and international issues. Sometimes, their confidence in their problem-solving abilities can lead to clashes with authority figures, as seen in university undergraduates.
C. Ability to Make Decisions: Over time, adolescents acquire the capability to make decisions based on logical and systematic considerations. They can evaluate multiple alternatives, weigh the pros and cons, and arrive at a decision. This newfound independence in decision-making is a significant developmental milestone. For example, they might face a choice between attending university or accepting a job offer from a commercial bank, and they can make an informed decision and stick to it. In contrast, children who have not yet reached adolescence may struggle with making independent decisions.
These intellectual characteristics of adolescents illustrate their cognitive growth and maturation as they progress from concrete thinking to more abstract and analytical reasoning, enabling them to navigate complex issues and make informed choices.
Evaluation
1. Adolescents develop the ability to generalize concepts, not just concrete objects. For example, if an old man is sick and his only son with money is not around, then ________.
a) he will get better
b) he is likely to die
c) he will stay the same
2. Unlike childhood, adolescents reason ________ and ________.
a) poorly, superficially
b) better, deeper
c) sporadically, illogically
3. Adolescents engage in critical discussions about ________ issues.
a) local
b) national and international
c) personal
4. Adolescents sometimes believe they have the answer to all problems, which can lead to clashes with ________.
a) peers
b) authorities
c) teachers
5. With time, adolescents become capable of making decisions based on ________ considerations.
a) emotional and impulsive
b) logical and systematic
c) random and erratic
6. Adolescents can survey several ________ when making decisions.
a) solutions
b) friends
c) alternatives
7. After explaining and weighing the alternatives, adolescents make a decision and ________ by it.
a) ignore
b) forget
c) abide
8. A common decision adolescents face is choosing between going to ________ or taking a job in a commercial bank.
a) a party
b) a vacation
c) university
9. Children who are not adolescents may struggle with making ________ decisions.
a) informed and independent
b) random and illogical
c) emotional and impulsive
10. Adolescents can manage abstract ________ like justice, law, and democracy.
a) concepts
b) objects
c) colors
11. Adolescents can generalize concepts on a ________ level.
a) concrete
b) emotional
c) conceptual
12. Their increased ability in understanding allows adolescents to attempt the solution of ________ problems.
a) simple
b) difficult
c) irrelevant
13. Adolescents have the capacity to engage in critical discussions about ________ problems.
a) personal
b) national and international
c) fictional
14. The ability to make ________ is a significant developmental milestone for adolescents.
a) friends
b) decisions
c) excuses
15. Adolescents can weigh the pros and cons of different ________ when making decisions.
a) animals
b) alternatives
c) toys
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