Final answer:
The concept where adolescents feel observed and think they are the focus of everyone's attention is known as the generalized other, a part of adolescent psychosocial development. It is linked to egocentrism during the phase of identity versus role confusion in Erikson's theory and leads to the formation of a personal identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adolescent Psychosocial Development
The feature of adolescent thought where teenagers believe that others are observing and thinking about them, leading to feelings of being special and unique, is directly related to the concept of the generalized other, as defined by sociologist George Herbert Mead. This concept is part of the psychosocial development during adolescence, where teens develop a sense of self as they relate to others. The perception that everyone is looking at them and making judgments can lead to a renewed form of egocentrism, where adolescents believe that their experiences and appearances are the center of everyone else's attention.
Erikson's stages of psychosocial development refer to this period as one of identity versus role confusion, where adolescents are asking themselves "Who am I?" and "Who do I want to be?" This can lead to a period where adolescents might conform to parental expectations, peer groups, or may even rebel against them. As cognitive development progresses, adolescents begin to exhibit better attention, memory, processing speed, and organizational skills.
Moreover, they become adept at reasoning logically, solving hypothetical problems, and engaging in more complex thinking, like considering multiple points of view and imagining hypothetical situations. These cognitive and psychosocial changes pave the way for the development of their own moral and ethical values, an increased awareness of self-esteem, and sometimes the testing of boundaries with parental figures while seeking acceptance from peers.