Emotions in Adolescence and Gender

Adolescence marks a crucial period of emotional development. During this period, boys and girls not only display many similarities in the development of emotional expression and regulation but also follow particularly distinct paths in their emotional development. This entry examines adolescent emotional development by gender, reviews the biological and social explanations for gender differences, and discusses future directions for research.

Emotional Expression in Adolescent Boys and Girls

Adolescence and the onset of puberty is a unique and salient period for emotional development, regardless of gender. First, major changes are seen in the brain’s emotional and social networks. These changes include stronger reactions to positive and negative events, as well as the release of hormones, specifically oxytocin, which contributes to increased self-consciousness and sensitivity to social feedback. During ...

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