Puberty
A flood of biological events leading to an adult sized body and sexual maturity
Phases of Adolescence (short answer question)
Early- 11-12- Rapid pubertal changes
Middle-14-16- puberty nearly complete
Late- 16-18- Achieves adult appearance and assumes adult roles
Hormonal Changes in Puberty
-Hormonal changes underway by ages 8-9
Androgens
Present in boys
Testosterone
Estrogens
Present in girls
Adrenal estrogens
Sex Differences in Body Growth in Adolescence
Be able to describe the differences in Growth Spurts, Proportions, and Muscle-Fat makeup
Boys
~Growth Spurt- Starts at age 12
~Proportions- Shoulders broaden, Longer legs
~Muscle-Fat Makeup- Gain more muscle, aerobic efficiency
Girls
~Growth Spurt- Starts at age 10
~Proportions- Hips Broaden
~Muscle-fat Makeup- Gain more fat
Describe the Motor Development differences between boys and girls in adolescence.
What happens to the gender gap?
~Girls- slow and gradual gains
~Boys` dramatic spurt in strength, speed, and endurance
~The gender gap in skills begins to widen (gender-segregated physical education begins)
What happens to the amount of physical activity that adolescence take part in as they age?
Overall, it declines. More so in girls
Describe the differences of sexual maturation, specifically,
Primary and
Secondary characteristics between boys and girls
~Primary
(development you can't see)
Both- Maturation of the reproductive organs
Girls- menarche
Boys- spermarche
~Secondary
(development you can see)
Both- Underarm/pubic hair
- other visible parts of the
body that signal sexual
maturity
Girls- breasts
B
What are some of the individual differences that affect the time of puberty?
Heredity-the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another
Nutrition, exercise
Body fat in girls
Geographical location
SES
Ethnic group
Secular trend- the fact that puberty is starting earlier for boys and gir
What happens in brain development during adolescence?
~Mylination continues resulting in increased processing speeds
~Synaptic pruning (refers to the process by which extra neurons and synaptic connections are eliminated in order to increase the efficiency of neuronal transmissions.)
Improves cognition
Neuro
Describe other changes in the adolescent brain
~Changes in brain's emotional-social network outpace development of the cognitive control network.
Experiences are more
intense
Pleasure- and novelty -
seeking; taking drugs
increases
~Prefrontal cortex- Support gains in impulse control, decision making,
Describe some of the sleep habits in adolescence
Sleep needs are still the same as in middle childhood (9 hours of sleep needed)
Adolescents go to bed later due to biological changes and social habits
Sleep deprivation- leads to achievement and mod problems, physical consequences, and more high risk beh
What are some the psychological and emotional reactions toward puberty?
The reactions vary but culture plays a huge role in preparation, girls being more likely to share with their peers and with initiation ceremonies.
~Adolescent moodiness
~Parent-child conflict rises
Describe the consequences of timing of puberty in early maturing and Late maturing in both boys and girls.
~Early Maturing
Boys- Popular, confident, independent, positive bosy image
Girls- Unpopular, withdrawn, low confidence. negative body image, more deviant behavior
~Late Maturing
Boys- Unpopular, anxious, talkative, attention-seeking, negative body image
G
Discuss the factors that come along with reactions to the timing of puberty
~Physical attractiveness- body image
Girls- most want to be thinner, smaller
Boys- most want to be bigger
Strong predictor of self esteem for both sexes
~Fitting in with peers
Prefer peers with similar level of physical maturity
Early maturers in economic
Describe some of the factors that have to do with nutrition in adolescence
Calorie needs increase
Poor food choices are common (less fruits, vegetables, milk, breakfast)(more soda/ fast food)
Iron, calcium, vitamin deficiencies are common
Many try fad diets or being vegetarians
anorexia nervosa
1% of adolescents are affected
Increasing incidence
Starve out of fear of getting fat
Abnormalities in brain neurotransmitters may make some individuals more susceptible
Can be fatal
Less than 50% affected recover fully
bulimia nervosa
2-4% affected
Strict diet and exercise, followed by binge and purge
feelings of guilt and depression typical
Can cause life=threatening damage
Easier to treat
binge eating disorder
2-3% of teenage girls
nearly 1% of boys
Equally prevalent among U.S ethnic groups
Leads to weight gain and obesity
Discuss injuries being increased in adolescence
Cars- 40% of adolescent deaths between ages 15 and 19. Typically due to high speed, alcohol, and no seat belts
Guns
Sports
Describe the trend of sexual intercourse in adolescents
Sexual intercourse increases as adolescence increase in age
Describe the impact of culture on sexual activity
Sexual attitudes in the US are relatively restrictive
Parents give limited information about sex
Most learn about sex from friends, books, magazines, movies, TV, and the internet
Internet= hazardous educator
42% of 10 to 17 year olds viewed pornographic w
Discuss the impact that discussing sex with adolescents has
~Reduced sexual risk-taking associated with warm parent communication on sex and contraception
Only about 50% of parents do this because of embarrassment and uncertainty.
Teens are often reluctant to listen
Mothers tend to have more success
~Suggestions
F
Discuss Contraceptive use among adolescents
Recent increase in contraceptive use
Still, 20% of US teens do not use
Reasons for not using- Concern about image, adolescent risk taking, social environment, forced intercourse
Discuss Sexual orientation in adolescents
About 5% of young people identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual
An unknown number who experience same-sex attraction have not come out to their family members
Heredity is an important contributor to homosexuality
Stereotypes and misconceptions continue to
Describe the sequence of coming out ("Feeling Different", "Confusion", "Self acceptance")
Feeling Different- Ages 6-12
Confusion- Ages 11-15 boys, 14-15 girls
Self-acceptance- Timing varies
Discuss Pregnancy in adolescence
About 740,000 American teen girls each year (One-third end in abortion)
86% of teen mothers unmarried
Problems include educational achievement, marital patterns, economic circumstances
Discuss the different help strategies for teen pregnancies (Prevention Strategies, Intervention with Teen Parents)
~Prevention Strategies
More effective sex education
Skills for handling sexual situations
Clear, accurate messages
Last long enough to have an impact
Info and access to contraceptives
School involvement
~Intervention with Teen Parents
Health care
Help sta
Discuss Substance use in adolescence
Widespread and rises over adolescence
Varying patterns (Minimal experimenters, use to abuse)
Many factors in abuse(Personal- antisocial, Environmental- family, peers)
Different treatments for use and abuse
What are some effect prevention and treatment techniques for drug use among adolescents
Promote effective parenting, including monitoring activities
Teach skills for resisting peer pressure
Reduce the social acceptability of taking drugs by emphasizing health and safety risks
Get students to commit to not using drugs
Provide appealing substi