Adolescence Flashcards
Puberty
Period of rapid growth and sexual development that begins in adolescence and starts at some point between 8 and 14 years of age.
How has adolescence evolved historically?
Adolescence today starts earlier and ends later than in the past.
When does puberty today start for boys and girls?
10-11 years for girls and 11-12 years for boys
What two roles do hormones play in puberty?
Organizational role and activational role
What is organizational role?
Priming the body to behave a certain way once puberty begins.
What is activational role?
Triggering certain behavioral and physical changes
Describe the two phases of puberty
Adrenarche - Increased production of adrenal androgens that contribute to a number of pubertal changes (ex. skeletal growth)
Gonadarche - Increased production of hormones governing physical and sexual maturation
Primary sex characteristics
Organs needed for reproduction (ex. ovaries in females and testes in males)
Secondary sex characteristics
Physical signs of sexual maturation that do not directly involve sex organs (ex. development of breasts and hips in girls and increased muscle and bone mass in boys).
The rapid release of hormones activates the male and female ________
Gonads
What physical changes occur in females?
- Nipple growth
- Pubic hair
- Increase in height
- Fat formed on breasts and hips
- First menstrunal period (menarche)
What physical changes occur boys?
- Growth of testes
- Growth of penis
- Growth of pubic hair
- First ejaculation (spermarche)
- Facial hair
- Deepening of voice
When do girls and boys hit their growth spurts?
Girls: Between 8 - 13 years old
Boys: 10 - 16 years old
What may happen to a girl who matures early?
They may be teased or overtly admired. They may have an increased risk of depression, substance use, and early sexual behavior.
What may happen to a boy who develops early?
They may be more confident, popular, and independent but they are also at greater risk of substance abuse and early sexual activity.
How may late-developing boys and girls feel?
They may be self conscious about their developing bodies. Boys especially will be at higher risk for depression and conflict
What happens in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence?
Myelination and synaptic pruning increase which improves information processing.
When does the brain reach its largest physical size in girls?
11
When does the brain reach its largest physical size in boys?
14
What happens to the level of dopamine in adolescents? How does this change affect their behavior?
Increases. May make adolescents take more risks and more vulnerable to boredom.
What is dopamine in the brain associated with?
Pleasure and attuning to environment during decision making
What is serotonin in the brain associated with?
Regulation of mood and behavior. Eases tension and stress
Are teens in mid-adolescence or late adolescence more likely to take risks? Why?
Teens in mid-adolescence are more likely to take risks. This is because the cognitive controls in the prefrontal cortex have not developed yet while the limbic system has.
Adolescents are prone to risky behaviors because ________________.
The prefrontal cortex is not fully developed yet.
How do teens sleep schedules differ from children? Why?
Teens stay up later and have trouble getting up in the morning. This is because melatonin levels in the blood rise later and fall later.
What is body image? How does a teen’s body image affect their physical health?
Body image is a person’s idea of how their body looks. A person with a negative body image may develop unhealthy eating habits which affect their body’s health.
How many highschool girls in the US are trying to lose weight? How many of girls think they are overweight?
Two thirds. One third
How many highschool girls in the US are actually overweight?
One-sixth