AP Psychology Practice Test

Adolescence is typically defined as the developmental stage that occurs between childhood and adulthood. This period encompasses significant changes in physical, emotional, and psychological development. While it is often marked by the onset of puberty, adolescence itself is a broader timeframe that includes more than just the physiological changes associated with puberty.

The period of adolescence generally begins around the ages of 10 to 12 and extends into the late teens or early twenties, representing the transition from the dependent, nurturing environment of childhood to the independent, socially responsible role of adulthood. This transition involves not only physical development but also cognitive, emotional, and social changes that lay the groundwork for adult identity and behavior.

Other options focus on specific stages of puberty or development but do not encompass the full range of experiences defining adolescence. While adolescence is closely related to puberty, it is distinct in that it includes the social, emotional, and cognitive transitions that happen over several years, rather than solely the physiological changes that may occur in a shorter span of time during puberty itself.