Environmental Influences on Adolescent Development 
Adolescents is a period of life that is thought to be a crucial stage of development due to changes in an adolescent’s physical appearance, cognitive ability and social behavior. This paper will be discussing the environmental influences that promote the three domains of development with the assistance of two theorists, Piaget and Erikson. Discussed further is the participation of a team sport focusing on the positive developmental aspects it has on an individual. The involvement of significant peers and family members enhances development in all three domains. In most cases the period of adolescents begins from the ages of 12 till 18.
During this period of development each individual will undergo a roller-coaster of changes in their physical, cognitive and psychosocial development. The Individual’s physical changes, as they go through puberty are the most obvious to the naked eye, resulting in sexual maturity. Every adolescent will experience physical changes with their primary and secondary sex characteristics although not all adolescents will experience it at the same time. There is no set age for this to occur but there is a guide to follow between genders (Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R., Seifert, K., Burton Smith, R., Hine, A., Ward, L., Pause, C., 2010). The adolescent will also become more abstract in their thinking ability and begin formulate a set of ethical principles as their brain develops. Most individuals will develop more positive and equal relationships with their parents and respecting elders whilst adventuring away from the family nest to become more independent on their own or with a new relationship they built with the opposite sex. Adolescents is “second only to infancy in the rate of developmental changes that take place” (Office of population Affairs., 2010)
There are three main types of development that will work together to aid the growth of adolescents, which all will be affected by the environment, in either a positive or negative
During this period of development each individual will undergo a roller-coaster of changes in their physical, cognitive and psychosocial development. The Individual’s physical changes, as they go through puberty are the most obvious to the naked eye, resulting in sexual maturity. Every adolescent will experience physical changes with their primary and secondary sex characteristics although not all adolescents will experience it at the same time. There is no set age for this to occur but there is a guide to follow between genders (Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, R., Seifert, K., Burton Smith, R., Hine, A., Ward, L., Pause, C., 2010). The adolescent will also become more abstract in their thinking ability and begin formulate a set of ethical principles as their brain develops. Most individuals will develop more positive and equal relationships with their parents and respecting elders whilst adventuring away from the family nest to become more independent on their own or with a new relationship they built with the opposite sex. Adolescents is “second only to infancy in the rate of developmental changes that take place” (Office of population Affairs., 2010)
There are three main types of development that will work together to aid the growth of adolescents, which all will be affected by the environment, in either a positive or negative