PSYCHOLOGY OF THE ADOLESCENT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 186, 3 May 1940, Page 6

PSYCHOLOGY OF THE ADOLESCENT

Major Adjustments

FAR-REACHING .RENTAL

DEVELOPMENTS

Delegates to the Free Kindergarten Association refresher course in Wellington were addressed by Mr. Arnold Campbell, director of the New Zealand Institute fiJT Educational Research, ou "The Psychology of the Adolescent.” After' sketching the physical changes that took place during the period, he spoke of the far-reaching mental developments that accompanied them; there was a remarkable widening of intellectual horizons and an expansion and intensification of the emotional life. Three main linen of development could be distinguished: each leading toward one of Hie major adjustments of adult life —first, an increased feeling for the self, leading toward a new attitude of independence and vocational ambitions; second, the rise and intensification of sex emotions, tending toward the finding of a mate; third, the development of social, aesthetic and religious emotions which, combined with greater intellectual maturity, tended toward the formulation of a point of view on sociey and life in general. The “storm and stress” of adolescence had sometimes been exaggerated, but there was no doubt that the period was critical, and one in which profound, and often dramatic, changes took place. It. was very easy for adults to be deceived by appearances; young people who seemed happy, cheerful and well-adjusted might, ou occasion, be torn bv inner doubts, fears and conflicts. •’

In dealing with the adolescent it was essential to recognize his desire to confront the world as an independent human being; to attempt to keep Him on childish leading strings was likely to result, either in retarded development, or, in the case of those of more vigorous character, in some sort of rebellion. it was not that the adolescent did not need and, sometimes, welco'me advice and help; but advice would be accepted readily only if he felt that it was based on real understanding of his needs and difficulties.