Final answer:
Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood marked by puberty and notable physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. It typically starts with pre-adolescence around ages 11-12 and lasts until the late teenage years. The concept of adolescence has evolved, recognizing this phase as a separate developmental period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Adolescence
Adolescence is the period of transformation that a person undergoes between childhood and adulthood. This developmental stage is notably marked by the onset of puberty, where individuals experience significant physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth and changes. It typically begins around the ages of 11 to 12 with pre-adolescence and spans until the late teenage years, when emerging adulthood takes place. During this time, adolescents undergo several physical changes such as sexual maturation and growth spurts, along with mental and emotional development, including the ability to think abstractly and establish a personal identity.
In regards to the creation of the term, adolescence as a concept has evolved over time. Historically, young people were considered adults once they reached physical maturity. However, in contemporary society, there is an extended phase known as adolescence, where individuals are no longer children but not yet adults, characterized by a quest for independence balanced with the need for familial connections.