During which developmental phase do significant changes such as secondary sexual characteristics and growth spurts occur?

Puberty is the developmental phase during which individuals experience significant physical changes, including the development of secondary sexual characteristics like breast development in girls and facial hair in boys. This stage also features notable growth spurts as the body undergoes hormonal changes that trigger rapid growth and maturation.

This phase typically occurs during adolescence, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. Puberty is characterized by biological changes that affect emotional development, social interactions, and physical health, setting the foundation for adult roles and responsibilities.

In contrast, the other stages—like Initiative vs. Guilt, Preoperational, and Concrete Operational—focus primarily on cognitive or psychosocial development rather than the physical transformations associated with puberty.