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1.4 Developmental Psychology > 7. Puberty & Adolescence > Flashcards

7. Puberty & Adolescence Flashcards

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1
Q

Puberty

A

A physical maturation period in early adolescence involving hormonal & bodily changes
- The body becomes capable of reproducing
- Over before adolescence

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2
Q

Maturation timelines - Adolescent Growth Spurt

A

Different timeframes for everyone (boys tend to start later)

Girls - 10.5, peak at 12
Boys - 13, peak at 14

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3
Q

Girls

A

Growth spurt
Hips widen
Develop breasts
Menstruation
Pubic hair
Increase in body fat

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4
Q

Boys

A

Growth spurt
Gain muscle
Shoulders widen
Growth in genitals

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5
Q

Precocious puberty

A

Early onset & rapid progression of puberty
Influenced by environment & genes
Girls - 8
Boys - 9
More common in girls
Given hormones to suppress this

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6
Q

Early onset

A

Beginning puberty a little early
Not a big deal like precocious puberty

Social pressure for girls
Confidence for boys

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7
Q

Secular trend

A

The onset of puberty is beginning earlier over time
Probably due to improved nutrition & health

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8
Q

Late onset

A

Late onset of puberty

More positive in girls - go through changes when they’re more stable
Boys - self-conscious & self-identity problems

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9
Q

Sexual maturity in girls

A

2 years earlier than boys
Breast development - 3/4 years
Pubic hair appears a little later

Anovulatory menstrual cycle - first year of period
Periods are not indicative of fertility

Know order not ages

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10
Q

Sexual maturity in boys

A

First ejaculation - 13-14.5 years
Growth of testes
Voice deepens around 14
Penis fully developed by 14.5 to 15
Facial hair, pubic hair (15/16)
Strength spurt at 15-17

Know order not ages

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11
Q

Genetic influences on timing

A

Time of onset is programmed into genes - e.g. if mother had early onset, daughter will likely have too
African Americans reach puberty earlier - caused by higher levels of leptin

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12
Q

Hormones

A
  • Hypothalamus, pituitary gland & gonads (sex glands) interact to secrete crucial hormones during puberty

Two key hormonal classes
Estrogens
Androgens
We all have both, but they increase to varying degrees during puberty

Growth hormones - stimulate growth

Not responsible for behaviour, actually the other way around e.g. stress, sleep cycles influences hormones

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13
Q

Testosterone

A

An androgen, boys

  • Enlarged genitals
  • Increased height
  • Voice change
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14
Q

Estradiol

A

An estrogen

  • Breast development
  • Development of uterus
  • Skeletal changes
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15
Q

Progesterone

A

An estrogen

Regulates menstrual cycle
Prepares uterus for fertilization

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16
Q

Gonadotropic hormones

A

Stimulate development of glands in testes & ovaries
- Release sex hormones

17
Q

Environmental influences

A
  • Unsafe environments
    • Growing up faster
  • Familial influences
    • Single parents, violent families
    • Earlier sexual maturation
    • Sexual risk taking linked to harsh treatment from mothers
  • Diet & exercise
    • Obesity leads to earlier onset
  • Stress
    • Body focuses on dealing with stress rather than puberty
    • Can lead to later onset of puberty
18
Q

Corpus callosum

A
  • Increases information processing abilities
  • Lateralization becomes stronger
19
Q

Prefrontal cortex

A
  • Reasoning, decision-making, self-control
  • White matter increases - helps with processing
  • Grey matter decreases
  • Doesn’t finish developing until adulthood (18-25 years)
  • Not fully developed
    • Strong, difficult to control emotions
20
Q

*Maturing of amygdala

A

Volume of amygdala - aggressive behaviour during parental interactions

21
Q

Myelin sheath growth

A

Better & faster transmission of information

22
Q

General brain

A

Size increase
Synaptogenesis
Synaptic pruning

23
Q

Synaptogenesis

A

Process by which synapses are established between neurons – involves growth of dendrites & axons

New synapses grow & make connections

24
Q

Synaptic pruning

A

Used neural connections strengthen while unused connections are replaced or disappear

Effect: smaller, more select, effective group

Our behaviour impacts what neural connections persist/fall away

25
Q

Cognitive changes

A

Increase in capacity for abstract & logical thinking
Idealistic thinking
Better at planning, self-regulation, dividing attention
Decision-making
Speed & capacity of information processing

26
Q

Emotional changes

A

More negative emotions
Stronger emotions, less control
Less stability - mood swings

Need more sleep

27
Q

*Risk-taking behaviour

A

Rational decision-making can be reduced under stressful, emotionally charged, and arousing circumstances

Explained by ongoing developments in:
- Belonging & aversion systems
- Areas controlling inhibitory control
- Regions activated by emotions, stress & arousal

Peer influence

1.4 Developmental Psychology (12 decks)

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