Chapter 1

Question 1

What is adolescence?

Answer 1

a period of transitions: biological, psychological, social, economic.

Question 2

What are the five major changes in puberty?

Answer 2

rapid acceleration in growth, the further development of the gonads, the development of secondary sex characteristics, changes in body composition, and changes in the respiratory and circulatory systems.

Question 3

How do the Cultural variations in pubertal maturation also vary considerably between societies?

Answer 3

The timing of physical and sexual maturation influences both the self-image of the adolescent (e.g., self-definition) as well as the adolescent’s integration into the world of adults (e.g., through its social stimulus value).

Question 4

What factors influence the transformation to adulthood?

Answer 4

a host of environmental factors including geography, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and historical context.

Question 5

What does puberty (pubertal) mean?

Answer 5

“adult”

Question 6

what is puberty?

Answer 6

puberty refers to the period in which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction.

Question 7

Puberty has 3 major factors:

Answer 7

1. A rapid acceleration in growth, resulting in dra- matic increases in both height and weight.
2. The development of primary sex characteristics, including the further development of the gonads (sex glands), which results in hormonal changes that ultimately enable reproduction.
3. The development of secondary sex characteristics, including changes in the genitals and breasts, and the growth of pubic, facial, and body hair.

Question 8

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 8

produces, circulates, and regu- lates levels of hormones in the body.

Question 9

what are hormones?

Answer 9

Highly specialized substances secreted by one or more endocrine glands.

Question 10

What are the two roles in which hormones Influence Adolescent Development?

Answer 10

Hormones perform both an organizational role (i.e., change the way the brain will respond to stimuli) and an activational role (i.e., have a direct impact on physical development or behavior).

Question 11

Explain the hormonal feedback loop in terms of the endocrine system

Answer 11

During infancy, a feedback loop known as the HPG axis develops involving the pituitary gland (which controls hormone levels), the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland), and the gonads (in males, the testes; in females, the ovaries). In this system, the hypothalamus monitors the level of gonadotropic hormones (androgens and estrogens) in the blood. When hormone levels drop below its “set point,” the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland, in turn, stimulates the gonads, which produce more androgens and estrogens. When levels of androgens and estrogens in the bloodstream rise to a high enough level, the hypothalamus stops stimulating the pituitary gland, and the chain of events stops. At puberty, the hypothalamus becomes less sensitive, so that higher levels of androgens and estrogens must be circulating in the bloodstream before the hypothalamus stops hormone production.

Question 12

What does the Production of androgens and estrogens (feelings of sexual attraction may be stimulated by adrenarche–the stimulation of the adrenal glands). do and describe it.

Answer 12

Both sexes produce androgens and estrogens (the sex hormones released by the gonads); however, the average male typically produces more androgens than estrogens while the average female produces more estrogens than androgens. In addition, recent research indicates early feelings of sexual attraction may be stimulated by adrenarche (the stimulation of the adrenal glands).

Question 13

what triggers puberty?

Answer 13

Although the HPG axis is active before birth, something happens during middle childhood that reawakens the HPG axis and signals the body that it’s ready for puberty. There is some evidence that a protein produced by fat calls called leptin may be the most important signal (at least in females). Although leptin has a number of functions, one of leptin’s main roles is to let your brain know how fat you are. As such, it may serve as a metabolic gate for puberty to progress. Does your body have enough fat to carry a pregnancy to term – if yes, leptin is released signaling the body it is ready.

Question 14

Explain the changes in stature and the Dimensions of the Body

Answer 14

Increases in hormone levels lead to the adolescent growth spurt, which occurs about 2 years earlier in girls than in boys. During peak height velocity, an adolescent is growing at approximately the same rate as a toddler (about 4 inches per year for boys and 3.5 inches per year for girls).

Question 15

The asynchronicity in growth of body parts results in a ____

Answer 15

clumsy or gawky appearance

Question 16

Explain the asynchronicity in growth of body parts during early adolescence:

Answer 16

Much of the height gain during puberty results from an increase in torso length rather than leg length. One marker that indicates the termination in growth in height is epiphysis (closing of the ends of the long bones in the body). In addition to sheer changes in height and weight, there are changes in the relative proportion of body muscle and body fat, and changes in the circulatory and respiratory systems. These differences exaggerate physical differences between males and females. For example, body fat in boys tends to decrease whereas in girls it tends to increase. Many girls react to the increase in body fat at puberty by dieting unnecessarily.

Question 17

What is sexual maturation?

Answer 17

Another important aspect of somatic development at puberty is the emergence of reproductive capability and the development of secondary sex characteristics (changes related to physical appearance). The sequence of pubertal changes is described in the Tanner stages and is more orderly for males than for females.

Question 18

Explain sexual maturation in boys:

Answer 18

In boys, the changes in physical development occur in the following order: rapid growth of testes and scrotum and appearance of pubic hair; the beginning of the growth spurt, enlargement of the penis and thickening of pubic hair; growth of facial and body hair and lowering of the voice. The first ejaculation usually occurs about a year after the beginning of the accelerated growth of the penis.

Question 19

Explain sexual maturation in girls:

Answer 19

Girls’ development is in a less regular sequence, but usually begins with either the development of the breast buds or growth of pubic hair. Later, breasts develop and the nipples and areola enlarge, and pubic hair thickens. Menarche, the first menstrual period, occurs later in puberty, and ovulation and the ability to carry a baby to full term usually follow menarche by several years.

Question 20

explain the variations in the timing and tempo of puberty:

Answer 20

There are tremendous variations among individuals in the timing (i.e., age at onset) and tempo (i.e., rate of change) of puberty. Some individuals will have completed pubertal maturation before their same-age peers will have even begun puberty.

Question 21

explain genetic and environment influences on pubertal timing:

Answer 21

Pubertal timing and tempo appear to be strongly (although not exclusively) influenced by genetic factors. The environment (proper nutrition, health, etc.) influences whether an individual’s genetic predisposition toward a particular timetable for maturation can be realized.

Question 22

explain individual differences in pubertal maturation

Answer 22

Although the most important influence on the timing of maturation is genetic, adolescents who have been well-nourished and healthy during childhood go through puberty earlier than their less fortunate peers. the tim- ing and rate of pubertal maturation are the product of an interaction between nature and nurture, between one’s genetic makeup and the environmental condi- tions under which one has developed.

Question 23

Explain Familial Influences on Pubertal Timing:

Answer 23

Recent studies suggest that social factors may also influence the onset of maturation. For example, puberty has been found to occur earlier among girls who have grown up in father-absent families or in families with more conflict. In addition, the presence of a step-father may also accelerate pubertal maturation by exposing the adolescent girl to pheromones.

Question 24

what are pheromones?

Answer 24

A class of chemicals secreted by animals that stimulate certain behaviors in other members of the species.

Question 25

Explain the group differences in pubertal maturation:

Answer 25

teenagers in highly industrialized countries, mature earlier than their counterparts in developing nations, where health and nutritional problems slow growth.

Question 26

Explain how Biological changes at puberty affect both an adolescent’s self image and may also elicit changes in how others react to the teenager.

Answer 26

These changes in self-definition and in how the adolescent is treated may prompt further changes in behavior from the teenager. Thus puberty may be said to have both direct and indirect effects on adolescents.

Question 27

what are the two approaches that can be taken to study the psychological and social consequences of puberty?

Answer 27

1. )cross-sectional studies): researchers select individuals who are at different stages of puberty and then compare these individuals to one another.
2. (Longitudinal studies): identify individuals and then follow them over time, often over several years, comparing the same person over time.

Question 28

what are the three immediate impacts of puberty?

Answer 28

The impact of puberty on self-esteem and mental health varies by gender and across ethnic groups. Fluctuations in adolescents’ moods as a function of hormone levels are measurable, but not very strong. The influence of hormones on adolescent behavior (e.g., irritability, impulsivity, aggression, and depression) appears to be strongest during the early stages of puberty when hormone levels are fluctuating widely.

Question 29

Describe the changes in patterns of sleep:

Answer 29

melatonin secretion, Lack of sleep associated with depression, anxiety, and poor school performance.The typical adolescent gets approximately 7 hours of sleep on school nights, however, adolescents need approximately 9 hours of sleep a night. Changes in adolescents’ sleep patterns are directly related to the biological changes of puberty. For example, the hormone melatonin (which is related to sleepiness) is secreted about 2 hours later among adolescents who have completed puberty than among those who have not yet entered puberty. This delayed phase preference, the tendency of adolescents to feel energetic in the evening, go to bed later, and sleep later in the morning, may be the result of melatonin secretion shifted later in puberty. In conjunction with these physiological changes associated with changes in sleep patterns, the environment (watching TV, doing homework, talking on the phone) also encourages adolescents to stay up later. The delayed sleep preference causes adolescents’ sleep patterns to get out of sync with societal demands, such as early high school start times, and often leads to inadequate sleep.

Question 30

Describe Puberty and its effects on Family Relationships:

Answer 30

The onset of puberty often leads to increased conflict within the family and may lead to a “distancing” between parents and adolescents. The extent to which the adolescent has been prepared psychologically for the biological changes of puberty may moderate disruption within the family unit. The same may be said for the social context in which the adolescent matures. Reestablishing equilibrium within the family unit while the adolescent takes on more adult roles, including definition of the proper context for cross-sex activities, may take time.

Question 31

Describe The Impact of Early or Late Maturation:

Answer 31

For both sexes, early physical maturation is associated with a higher likelihood of being involved with problem behaviors, including drug and alcohol use, delinquency, and precocious sexual activity. Boys and girls respond differently to early maturation. Generally speaking, early-maturing boys have some short-term advantages over their late maturing peers, but experience some long-term disadvantages. During adolescence, early maturers are more popular and confident; however, older men who matured early as teens tend to be more conventional, conforming, and humorless. It is possible that the early press to adulthood and responsibility may come too soon, stifling curiosity, creativity, and inventiveness in later life. In contrast, early maturing girls tend to have more emotional difficulties than their peers, while girls who mature on time or a bit later than their peers tend to be more popular.

Question 32

Describe The Impact of Specific Pubertal Events:

Answer 32

Most adolescents respond positively to the changes associated with puberty. Girls’ attitudes, however, still vary, with those who view menarche negatively experiencing the most discomfort. Far less is known about males’ reactions to first ejaculation. In contrast to girls, boys tend not to discuss this experience with either parents or friends.

Question 33

What are eating disorders?

Answer 33

Psychologists refer to unhealthy eating attitudes and behaviors as “disordered eating.” These can range from a preoccupation with weight to a clinical eating disorder. Puberty results in dramatic changes to physical appearance, and a teen’s self-image is subject to constant reevaluation. During puberty, an adolescent’s basal metabolism drops, which may lead to weight gain. The easiest way to determine whether someone is overweight is to calculate his or her body mass index (BMI).

Question 34

Describe the influences on obesity:

Answer 34

Individuals are considered overweight if their BMI is at or above the 85th percentile and obese if their BMI is at or above the 90th percentile. Based on these cutoffs, 16% of adolescents in the United States are obese and another 15% are a risk for obesity. African-American girls are at especially high risk for becoming obese since they tend to have a lower basal metabolism rate and spend less time exercising. Eighty percent of obese adolescents will go on to become obese adults. This may predispose adolescents to a number of health problems in later life such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other cardiovascular problems.

Question 35

How can you prevent and treat obesity?

Answer 35

Since food preferences are known to develop during early childhood, manufacturers of high-calorie and high fat foods have been criticized for marketing their food to younger children. In order to prevent obesity, parents, the mass media, restaurants, and schools all need to work together to model good eating habits. While fad diets have been shown to increase rather than decrease obesity, those who combine both behavior modification and weight loss medication tend to more effective for weight loss.

Question 36

anorexia nervosa and bulimia further explained:

Answer 36

The emphasis on slimness in contemporary culture can sometimes lead adolescents to acquire extremely disturbed idealized body images, and may bring about disordered eating strategies. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and purging. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by extremely restrictive self-induced dieting. Although the incidence of anorexia and bulimia is low, it is far more common among females than males, and is rarely seen before puberty. Contrary to previous reports, recent research suggests that individuals from all social classes and ethnic groups can develop eating disorders. Several theories have been proposed to account for the emergence of eating disorders, including biological, environmental, and the interplay between the two.

Question 37

Describe the paradox of adolescent health:

Answer 37

the healthiest periods in the life span, because chronic health problems are low. On the other hand, health problems that result from adolescents’ choices - the “new morbidity and mortality” of adolescence – are quite high.Major causes of morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) include automobile accidents, violence (including suicide and homicide), substance abuse, and sexual behavior.

Question 38

describe the causes of morality in adolescence:

Answer 38

45% of all adolescent deaths in the United States result from car accidents and other unintentional injuries and another 30% are a result of homicide or suicide. New approaches to adolescent health care emphasize health-enhancing behavior (e.g., wearing seat belts, proper nutrition and exercise) and the reduction of health-compromising behaviors (e.g., violence, substance abuse, unsafe driving habits, and unprotected sex).

Question 39

how can we promote adolescent health?

Answer 39

School-based health centers are among the most popular innovations in promoting adolescent health. health problems are most likely to occur among low SES youth with limited access to health care. Many of these youth also come from ethnic minority backgrounds. Minimizing or eliminating the roots of heath disparities among a growing worldwide adolescent population will provide challenges for health care providers and policy makers for several decades to come.