Ch. 6 Bio Dvlp in Adolescence

Question 1

Adolescence

PP279

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Puberty

PP279

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Puberty for girls

PP279

Answer 3

b/w ages 9-12…
full height by 16
may be interested in boys at an early age leading to interest in older guys

Question 4

Puberty for boys

PP279

Answer 4

b/w ages 11-14

full height by 18-20

Question 5

Hormones

PP 279

Answer 5

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

Question 6

The growth spurt

Answer 6

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

Question 7

The Secular Trend

PP280

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

suggestive cause for secular trend

PP280

Answer 8

Increase standard of living, better nutrition, and health care cause more growth.

Question 9

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

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Notable indications that a female has achieved the climax of puberty

PP 280

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Psychological Reactions to Physical Changes

PP 282

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Body Image and Self-Concept

PP 282-283

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Newman & Newman four factors as to why during adolescence girls are more likely to experience depression

PP 282

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Early and Late Maturation in Boys

PP 283

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Early maturation of girls

PP 284

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Brain Development in Adolescence : hormonal changes that characterize puberty also influence brain function.

PP 284

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Drug use in Adolescence

PP 285

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

Variables putting adolescents at risk for alcohol and other substance abuse

PP 285-286

Answer 18

1. Environmental factors: poverty, inadequate education, high unemployment, lack of positive role modes and absence of opportunity
2. Peer Pressure
3. Parental factors: lack of involvement, failure to monitor, parents appear not to care or don’t provide support or direction, parents’ use of substance
4. Personal Characteristics: poor coping skills w/ challenges of adolescence, relationship and achievement problems at school issues, desire for excitement and desire for self-gratification.

Question 19

Tobacco use

PP 287

Answer 19

in general has declined

causes heart disease, lung cancer

as a stimulate, it causes both an increased heart rate and in blood pressure

Question 20

Risk Factors for adolescents’ becoming addicted to tobacco

PP 287

Answer 20

parental attention and support, peer pressure, inability and disinterest in school

Question 21

Issues with adolescence (period of sexual dvlp)

PP 287

Answer 21

sexual activity
unplanned pregnancy,
teenage fatherhood
motivation for pregnancy
sex education
STD
contraception

Question 22

Sexual Activity

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Teenage pregnancy

PP 288-289

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Reason why SWs need to understand the problems of teenage parenthood

Answer 24

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.