Final answer:
Adolescent egocentrism is characterized by increased self-awareness, heightened sensitivity to social judgment, and a preoccupation with personal identity. Adolescents focus intensely on how they are perceived by others and develop their own sense of self, but they may also incorrectly assume that others are as focused on them as they are on themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics associated with adolescent egocentrism are increased self-awareness, heightened sensitivity to social judgment, and a focus on personal identity development. Increased self-awareness refers to adolescents' ability to recognize and reflect upon their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Heightened sensitivity to social judgment manifests as a concern for their social standing and how they are perceived by peers, often leading to a strong desire for acceptance and fear of rejection.
Adolescents are typically concerned with the development of a personal identity, wrestling with questions like "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" Those who navigate this stage successfully have a strong sense of self, whereas those who struggle may face identity confusion.
While adolescents develop the ability to think abstractly and understand others perspectives, they still tend to be self-focused and may overestimate the attention their actions and appearance draw from others, known as the 'imaginary audience' phenomenon.