6: adolescence Flashcards
describe physical maturation during adolescence
puberty occurs
- period with which sexual organs mature and sexual characteristics appear
what is the physiological process of puberty
pituitary gland signals brain then endocrine glands (in adrenal gland)
- produces androgens, estrogen, and leptin (GH)
- pituitary gland also involved in growth
what is menarche
onset of mensuration
what can cause early menarche
better nourishment, higher body fat, and psychological stress
what is secular trend
trend of the early onset of puberty
pattern of change that occurs over several generations
what are primary sexual characteristics in girls
development of reproductive organs and related structures (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes
what are secondary sexual characteristics in girls
visible signs of maturity that aren’t directly related to sex organs
- hair growth, breast development
what is spermarche
the first ejaculation of a maturing boy
what are primary sexual characteristics of boys
prostate glands, penis, and seminal vesicles
what are secondary sexual characteristics of boys
facial hair, vocal chords, jawline development.
what are common reactions to puberty in adolescence (males and females)
- increase in self awareness and self esteem
- increased body fat may lead to embarrassment
- early maturation in boys often has a + response in comparison to girls
- societal standards of attractiveness can lead to body image issues in youth
what is early maturation vs late maturation in boys associated with
-early: scholastic difficulties and delinquent tendencies
- late: insightfulness, creativeness, smaller frame (disadvantageous in sports)
what is early maturation vs late maturation in girls associated with
early: feelings of discomfort or increase in popularity
late: girls tend to be overlooked in popularity and dating
how does the skeletal system develop during adolescence
in girls:
grow the most by 16 and facial structures become more prominent
how does the heart and lungs develop during adolescence
- heart and lung size increases (larger lung capacity in boys)
- obesity rates increase from 3% - 10%
how does the muscular system develop during adolescence
- muscles grow thicker and denser
- more strength
- development of fine motor skills occur earlier than boys
how does the brain and nervous system develop during adolescence
- synaptogenesis/ synaptic pruning occurs at slow rates
- grey matter volume peaks in girls
- white matter increases steadily
what changes occur in the adolescent brain
prefrontal cortex is still developing
- corpus collosum/ speech areas increase in volume
- limbic system is more developed
- lack of self regulation (of emotions/behaviours)
what can obesity cause
- what are the obesity stats in Canada
- can cause high BP, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues
- 20% of 12 year olds are overweight
- 10% are obese
what is anorexia nervosa and what are the stats in Canada
- eating disorder in which individuals refuse to eat
- 0.5% - 5% of females in Canada develop anorexia
what is bulimia nervosa and what are the stats in Canada
- eating disorder (binge eating/purging)
- 1-4% females and young adults have bulimia
what is sleep deprivation
what are consequences
what are Canadian stats
- deprivation of sleep due to social or academic pressure
- can cause mood swings, low concentration, and higher rates of depression
- 13% suffer of insomnia in Canada
what drug is commonly used in adolescence,
what age does drug use typically arise
what are the consequences
marijuana is common in high school and above
typically arises from 13-14 years of age
- withdrawal effects, cognitive deficits, and deaths can be consequences
what is the stat of alcohol consumption in adolescence
what are the consequences of alcoholism
11-17% of 16-17 yr olds
alcohol dependency can aggravate its neurotoxic
effects;
- reduces tissue volume from PFC and cerebellum
- Impaired cognitive functioning and motor coordination.
In girls, sexual activity tends to show ___ interest in academics
lower
what percentage of early and mid adolescents are sexually active in Canada
30%
what percentage of alcohol consumption is associated with sexual activity
22%
what are STI’s
infection spread through sexual contact
what are infection rates of STIs in females
18/1000
what are some common STIs
1) HPV
2) Chlamydia
3) Genital herpes
d) AIDS
what is formal operational thinking
period with which people develop ability to think abstractly