Final answer:
The period referred to is known as adolescence, which is characterized by the onset of puberty, sexual maturation, and hormonal changes leading to the development of mature social and sexual relationships. The correct answer is a. Adolescence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period during puberty and beyond when sexual impulses are directed towards others in a mature and socially acceptable way is known as adolescence. This stage begins with the onset of puberty and includes not only the development of the primary and secondary sex characteristics but also significant cognitive and psychosocial changes.
During adolescence, individuals experience a growth spurt, hormonal changes, and a maturation of their reproductive systems. Puberty is characterized by the release of hormones such as GnRH, LH, FSH, testosterone, and estrogen, depending on the biological sex of the individual.
Sexual maturation during this time includes a heightened awareness of sexuality and often leads to the formation of romantic relationships. Adolescents start to exhibit adult-like sexual interests, signifying the end of the latency period of psychosexual development and the entry into the genital stage according to Freudian theory.
The correct answer to the question is a. Adolescence, as it reflects the time when sexual impulses and attractions are refined into mature relationships.