Adolescence is often considered a time of confusion, rebellion, and trouble. Although this can occur, most people emerge from adolescence without problems and successfully cope with the changes that accompany adolescence. Researchers seem to agree that many changes occur during adolescence, but that does not always mean that it is an unpleasant time in the lives of human beings (Santrock, 2011). As children enter adolescence they will experience neurological, hormonal and physical changes. It is also important to consider the psychosocial development of adolescents and how it may be affected by these biological changes and the environment the adolescent is experiencing. Many of the changes experienced by adolescents are the result of a combination of factors and the interaction between biology and the environment. Neurological Changes Many times the focus on neurological development occurs during the early childhood developmental years. Such rapid changes take place during early childhood, and is often the focus of attention of clinicians and academics, but very significant changes also occur during adolescence (Rutter, 2007). One of the most interesting neurological changes observed in adolescents is that connections between neurons continue to refine through pruning (Rutter, 2007). The amount of brain matter tends to increase during childhood, but in adolescence there is a decline in gray matter due to the pruning of synaptic connections (Rutter, 2007). Pruning is generally considered an important event that occurs in early childhood following the proliferation of connections established during childhood (Santrock, 2011). Research indicates that significant pruning and refinement...... half of paper ......-pituitary-adrenal activity during the transition to adolescence: regulatory changes and associations with puberty. Development and Psychopathology, 21(1), 69-85. doi: 10.1017/S0954579409000054King, L. A. (2010). Experience psychology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Martin, K. A., & Luke, K. (2010). Gender differences in the ABCs of the birds and the bees: What mothers teach young children about sexuality and reproduction. Sex Roles, 62(1), 278-291. doi:10.1007/s11199-099-9731-4Mehta, C. M., & Strough, J. (2010). Gender segregation and gender typing in adolescence. Sex Roles, 63(1), 251-263. doi: 10.1007/s11199-010-9780-8Rutter, M. (2007). Psychopathological development in adolescence. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 36(1), 101-110. doi:10.1007/s10964-006-9125-7Santrock, J. W. (2011). Development across the lifespan (13th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.