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The Term ' Storm And Stress ' Is A Term Coined By G. Stanley Hall

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"If adolescents have to adjust to so much potentially stressful changes, and at the same time pass through this stage of life with relative stability, as the empirical view indicates, how do they do it?" (Coleman and Hendry, 1999).

The term ‘storm and stress’ is a term coined by G. Stanley Hall (1904). It is derived from the German word ‘Sturn und Drung’. ‘Sturn ung Drung’ is a psychological theory that occurs when youths experience idealism, ambitiousness, rebellion, passion, suffering, as well as expressing feelings. The term is used because Hall (1904) viewed adolescence as a period of unavoidable turmoil that takes place during the transition from childhood to adulthood. The term ‘storm’ is defined as having a decreased level of …show more content…

Mood disruptions are referred to the hormonal changes and psychological stress of adolescence that can cause uncontrollable shifts in emotions. Lastly, risky behavior is the combination of a neurological need for stimulation and emotional immaturity which leads to increased risk-taking behavior during adolescence. According to Hall (1904), some of the blame for this period of ‘storm and stress’ is due to the biological changes of puberty. This is said because it takes time for developing bodies to get used to managing these biological changes. Hormonal changes can account for many of the mood swings that occur and physical growth at this time can make adolescence feel uncomfortable or awkward. In this essay, I will be addressing the reasons why adolescence is a period of ‘storm and stress’ and the theories of adolescence.

Ever since G. Stanley Hall (1904) described the ‘storm and stress’ seen in most adolescents, the perception of young people as ‘emotional volcanoes ready to explode has taken on a life of its own’ (How stuff works, 2011). Adolescence as a period of ‘stress and storm’ was first introduced by Plato and Aristotle. Plato (1953) described adolescent boys as always arguing and easily excited. Aristotle (1941) described adolescents as "lacking in sexual self-restraint, fickle in their desires, passionate and

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