Ch. 6 Bio Dvlp in Adolescence Flashcards
Adolescence
PP279
transitional period b/w childhood and adulthood during which young people mature physically and sexually
Latin verb: “to grow into maturity”
age: 12-20’s
complicated time: vast physical changes, barrage of emotions for some, grappling w/ Id issues, hormones can increase emotions.
Puberty
PP279
specific time during which P mature sexually and become capable of reproduction
Latin verb: “to grow hairy”
sudden enlargement of reproductive organs and sexual genitalia
Puberty for girls
PP279
b/w ages 9-12…
full height by 16
may be interested in boys at an early age leading to interest in older guys
Puberty for boys
PP279
b/w ages 11-14
full height by 18-20
Hormones
PP 279
chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands, stimulate growth of sexual organs and characteristics.
Testosterone affects growth of the penis, facial hair, areas in the brain and even cartilage in the shoulder joints.
Estrogen and Progesterone: uterus and vagina
The growth spurt
causes a sharp increase in height and weight: during this period boy/girls grow b/w 2-5in.
uneven growth making for awkwardness, the head, hands, and feet reach adult size and form first, followed by the legs and arms, finally, the body’s trunk reaches it’s full size.
boys: broadening of shoulders, legs and forearms become longer
girls: wider in the pelvic area and hips, layer of fat aver the abdomen, hips, and buttocks
The Secular Trend
PP280
increasing size and earlier achievement of sexual maturity
e.g: a 14yr old boy today is approximately 5 in taller than a 14yr od in 1880.
suggestive cause for secular trend
PP280
Increase standard of living, better nutrition, and health care cause more growth.
Major manifestation of puberty is the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics.
Describe primary and secondary sex characteristics for girls and boys
PP 280
Primary sex characteristics are those directly related to the sex organs and reproduction.
Girls - uterus, vagina and ovaries
Boys - Penis, prostate gland, testes
Secondary sex characteristics include those traits that distinguish the genders from ea. other but play no direct role in reproduction.
girls - menstruation, hair growth, breasts, skin changes/acne
boys - hair, voice changes, nocturnal emissions (wet dream), skin changes/acne.
Notable indications that a female has achieved the climax of puberty
PP 280
Menarche: first menstruation reached on average by age 12.5
Girls may begin periods prior to ovulation so they might not be able to become pregnant for 2 or more yrs.
Psychological Reactions to Physical Changes
PP 282
Self -criticism: physical imperfections are sought out, emphasized and dwelled on.
Adolescent seek to conform to their peers.
before an individual’s personality can develop, a P needs some predictability and security.
Body Image and Self-Concept
PP 282-283
perception of one’s body image and attractiveness is related to adolescents’ level of self-esteem, especially for girls.
girls tend to be more dissatisfied w/ physical appearance than are boys.
girls experience more eating disorders, higher rates of depression due to estrogen level… girls feel too fat and may starve selves becoming listless and blame themselves and are more sensitive about problems of others.
Newman & Newman four factors as to why during adolescence girls are more likely to experience depression
PP 282
First: the estrogen cycle has been linked to changed in mood.
Second: at puberty, girls become critical of their bodies and especially have concerns about being overweight and unattractive.
Third: girls tend to look w/in for explanations of their failures and problems, blaming them on their own lack of ability.
Fourth: more sensitive to the problems that people in their support network are having
Early and Late Maturation in Boys
PP 283
Early maturation for the most part is positive.
- higher self esteem, sports ability, relaxed, good natured, more popular, school leaders
- greater chance of aggression and delinquency, use of drugs, and alcohol. May not be ready intellectually or emotionally for experiences they encounter.
Late maturing boys may feel conspicuous because they are among the last of their peers to lose their childhood appearance.
-lower self esteem; however, in their 30’s may have higher self concept due to developing abilities such as intellectual prowess and career options.
Early maturation of girls
PP 284
More likely to smoke, drink, engage in sexual activity, have eating disorders and other mental illness
might not have the cognitive or emotional maturity to make good decisions
have to look at multiple variables not just one dimension to understand behavior and development.
Brain Development in Adolescence : hormonal changes that characterize puberty also influence brain function.
PP 284
The adrenal glands near the kidneys release testosterone like hormones that attach to the neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and dopamine that control emotional state and excitability.
Causing a desire for more excitement and thrills
at the same time the pre-frontal cortex is maturing but not fast enough to control and put brakes on impulsive or poorly thought out behavior.
Drug use in Adolescence
PP 285
- 1960’s and 1970s inc is use of drugs
- 1980’s decrease
- 1990’s increase
- 2000high school seniors use has shown some declined.
Teenage drug use: 45% HS seniors, 40% 10th grade, 17% of 8th graders have drunk alcohol.
28% drunk heavily in past 2wks
20% tried highly addictive substance
17% have smoke
Variables putting adolescents at risk for alcohol and other substance abuse
PP 285-286
- Environmental factors: poverty, inadequate education, high unemployment, lack of positive role modes and absence of opportunity
- Peer Pressure
- Parental factors: lack of involvement, failure to monitor, parents appear not to care or don’t provide support or direction, parents’ use of substance
- Personal Characteristics: poor coping skills w/ challenges of adolescence, relationship and achievement problems at school issues, desire for excitement and desire for self-gratification.
Tobacco use
PP 287
in general has declined
causes heart disease, lung cancer
as a stimulate, it causes both an increased heart rate and in blood pressure
Risk Factors for adolescents’ becoming addicted to tobacco
PP 287
parental attention and support, peer pressure, inability and disinterest in school
Issues with adolescence (period of sexual dvlp)
PP 287
sexual activity unplanned pregnancy, teenage fatherhood motivation for pregnancy sex education STD contraception
Sexual Activity
25% of males age 15 have sexual intercourse
26% of females
Minority youth: AA and Hispanics have sex at earlier ages than Whites and Asian youth - might be due to poverty.
Teenage pregnancy
PP 288-289
7% of young women under age 20, become pregnant.
Abortion rate is 32%, down from its peak of 46% in 1988
5% of children born to teenage mothers are placed for adoption
80% of teen mothers are single.
Reason why SWs need to understand the problems of teenage parenthood
Teenage awareness of the impacts of motherhood, impact of sexual activity, use of contraception, understand teenage parenthood, help young mothers realistically appraise their situations, make decisions about what to do for themselves and get involved with the supportive services they need.
