Adolescence: Physical development Flashcards
what is adolescence? and between what ages does it occur?
period of transition between childhood and adulthood , seen as developmental bridge between child and adult
age 12-18 years
why is adolescence now recognised as a dinstinct period of the life span?
due to formal schooling, children’s rights and globalization
what does it mean when they say adolescence begins in biology and ends in society?
{In SA adolescence ends at age 18}
adolescence begins in puberty when body reaches sexual maturation and rns when person meets societal norms and expectations as being an adult
what does it mean when adolescence is described as a stormy phase? and what are the 2 viewpoints on adolsescence?
on one hand, adolescence is characterised by conflict with authority, moodiness, high risk behavior that is biologically based
on other hand, adolescence are viewed as being nor worse than their parents when they were young, they are seen as better informed, honest, tolerant towards others
what do most psychologist aggree regarding adolescence?
adolescence is normal period of development
most do not experience any maladjustments, bad behavior - values same as parents
stormy phase - dysfunctional family
strom and stress occur in this period
preceived negative behavior not as serious as it seems
adolescence characteristics is universal
what is early adolescence charaterised by in terms iof physical development?
rapid and extensive physical growth- growth spurt
development of sexual maturity (puberty)
rapid physical growth and sexual maturation is initiated by which 2 hormones? and what do each of them cause?
somatotrophin (growth hormone)- bodily growth
gonadotrophin (sex hormone)- stimulates gonads to produce M/F sex hormones
what are the male and female hormones called?
male- androgens (consist of testosterone and androsterone)
female- estrogens
what are the primary and secondary sex charcteristics?
primary: sex organs
secondary: male and female characteristics (beard, breasts)
boys and girls grow at different rate during adolescence, the tempo also differs
what is the disproportionate growth tempo called?
asynchrony
but at end of stage it gets normal:
girls body contore more rounded
boys more broad shoulders
what is a secular trend?
puberty begins at earlier age, people reach adult height earlier and become taller due to better hygience, diet, medical care
describe sexual maturation in girls
sex organs enlarge, secondary sex characteristics appears, bodily hair, hips widen, increase body fat, lower voice, change in skin texture
most dramatic is: menarche= 1st menstruation
environmental factors can influence when girls start
certain cultures do female circumcision-prevent premaritual sex, religious cultural beliefs - regarded as unclean
in SA its illegal
describe sexual maturation in boys
reproductive system begin to develop, pubic hair, berad, lower voice, 1st seminal emmision (semen discharge- spermarche, male circumcision, ritual, many cases of severy consequences, test of edurance - controversy
what are the effects of early and late maturation on boys and girl?
boys who mature early= self-controlled, better body image, leadership
boys who mature late= less attarctive, anxious, childish, poorer academics
girls who mature early= not as beneficial for girls than boys, more attractive for older boys , social isolation, early sexual activities, behavioral problems
girls who mature late= attractive, sociable, positive body image
what are the 6 main charcteristics of anorexia nervose?
body weight below average supress appitite, excessive exercise, vomit distorted body image mental health conditions excessive growth of fine hair menstrual problems
