10.3 adolescent development Flashcards
release of these hormones control the development of two sets of characteristics:
primary sex traits
secondary sex traits
primary sex traits
physical changes that relate directly to reproduction
- in girls the first menstruation (or menarche) signals the onset of primary sex traits (occurs later for girls who have less body fat and work out)
- in boys the first ejaculation (or spermarche) signals the onset of primary sex traits. approx age 14
secondary sex traits
changes that are not directly related to reproductive ability
hair, breasts, acne
adolescence comes earlier nowadays
- 100 years ago, the average age of puberty was 16 or 17, unfortunately, children also often worked in factories for long hours and hardly any money
- now thanks to higher rates of childhood obesity, puberty commonly occurs as early as age 9
early development of sexual maturity can be problematic
- physical objectification of young girls seems to be occurring earlier and earlier
- early developing girls are more likely to participate in intimate relationships before they are emotionally ready
- they are also more likely to engage in substance abuse or become pregnant
- early developing boys are also more likely to engage in substance abuse
important brain development processes are still underway during adolescence
frontal lobes-control impulses and emotional rxns, decisions
- > underdeveloped frontal lobe wiring accounts for risky adolescent behaviour
- it seems that the presence of other adolescents also helps to stimulate those risky behaviours
contrary to popular belief, adolescence isn’t usually a …
chaotic and emotionally traumatic experience
emotional reframing
the tendency to interpret setbacks and disappointments from a positive perspective
such tendencies greatly help at smoothing out the roughest aspects of adolescence
delaying gratification
setting aside short term pleasures in the interest of achieving longer term goals
-across multiple domains, this capacity distinguishes adolescents (and adults) who succeed from those who struggle
delaying gratification:
the marshmallow challenge
children who are able to wait longer at age 4 were psychologically healthier at age 15 and had higher SAT scores when they graduated high school
moral development
if we are learning how to know the diff bw the right and wrong thing
-morality is often up for considerable debate
lawrence kohlbert
trolley problem
trolley problem
a trolley is hurtling down the tracks toward a group of five unsuspecting ppl. you are standing next to lever that, if pulled, would direct the trolley onto another track, thereby saving the five individuals. however, on the second track stands a single, unsuspecting person, who would be struck by the diverted trolley
preconventional morality
selfish motives guide moral decision-making. ppl select actions that maximize rewards/benefits and minimize costs/punishments
conventional morality
society’s laws and conventional attitudes guide moral decision-making