Chapter 11: Exam 4

Question 1

G. Stanley Hall

Answer 1

(1904) believed that adolescence is marked by turmoil and used the German phase strum and drang (“storm and stress”) to refer to the conflicts of adolescence.

Question 2

Puberty

Answer 2

The biological stage of development characterized by changes that lead to reproduction capacity.

Question 3

Feedback Loop

Answer 3

A system in which glands regulate each other’s functioning through a series of hormonal stages involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, the gonads - the ovaries in females and testes in males - and hormones.

CONTROLS PUBERTY

Question 4

Hypothalamus

Answer 4

Signals the pituitary glands releasing hormones that control physical growth and the gonads

Question 5

Gonads

Answer 5

Respond to pituitary hormones, increasing their production of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens)

Question 6

Sex Hormones

Answer 6

Further stimulate the hypothalamus, perpetuating the feedback loop.

Question 7

Primary Sex Characteristics

Answer 7

The structures that make reproduction possible

*Girls (ovaries, vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes)

*Boys (penis, testes, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles)

Question 8

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Answer 8

Physical indicators of sexual maturation - such as changes to the voice and growth of bodily hair - do not directly involve reproductive structures.

involves breast development, deepening of the voice, and the appearance of facial, pubic, and underarm hair.

Question 9

The Adolescent Growth Spurt

Answer 9

*Stable growth patterns in height/weight end abruptly with the adolescent growth spurt.
*Girls start to spurt in height sooner than boys (average age of a little more than ten)
*Boys start to spurt two years later
*Girls reach their peak growth in height at about 12 to 14 years old

***Overall, boys add an average of 14 1/2” during the spurt and the girls add a little more than 13”.

Question 10

Enormous amounts of food to fuel their growth spurts

Answer 10

Active 14 to 15 year old boys may consume 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day without becoming obese.

Question 11

asynchronous growth

Answer 11

unbalanced growth, such as the growth that occurs during the early part of adolescence and causes many adolescents to appear gawky (different parts of the body grow at different rates)

*Hands and feet mature before the arms and legs do, may complain of big hands or feet
*Legs reach their peak growth before the shoulders and chest
*Boys stop growing out of their pants about a year before they stop growing out of their jackets.

Question 12

Truth or Fiction
American adolescents are growing taller than their parents

Answer 12

Fiction
The statement is too general to be considered true. The average height for adults is greater than it was 100 years ago, but the upward trend seems to have stopped for middle-and-upper-class children. It does seem to remain true for children of lower socioeconomic status.

Question 13

Secular Trend

Answer 13

A historical trend toward increasing adult height and earlier puberty.

*Swedish boys and girls grew more rapidly in 1938 and 1968 than they did in 1883 and ended up several inches taller.

*At age 15, boys were more than 6” taller, and girls were more than 3” taller, on average than their counterparts from the previous century.

***Trend documented in nearly all European countries in the U.S.

However, children from the middle-and upper-class families in developed nations no longer grow taller, whereas their poorer counterparts continue to gain.

Question 14

Signs of Puberty in Boys

Answer 14

*Accelerated growth of the testes begins on average 11 1/2 plus or minus two years
*Penis growth spurt begins a year later, and still later, pubic hair develops
*Underarm and facial hair appears at about 15 (only 1/2 of American boys shave by the age of 17)
*Voice deepens because of growth of the “voice box,” or larynx, and lengthening of the vocal cords at 14 or 15

Question 15

Semen

Answer 15

The fluid that controls sperm and substances that nourish and help transport sperm.
*Boys typically ejaculate seminal fluid by age 13 or 14

Question 16

Nocturnal Emissions (Wet Dreams)

Answer 16

Emission of seminal fluid while asleep (mature sperm are found in ejaculatory emissions by the age of 15)

Question 17

Gynecomastia

Answer 17

Enlargement of breast tissue in males stems from the small amount of female sex hormones secreted by the testes.

*Nearly half of all boys experience this which usually declines in a year or two

Question 18

Epiphyseal Closure

Answer 18

The process by which the cartilage that separates the long end of a bone from the main part of the bone turns into bone.

Question 19

Signs of Puberty in Girls

Answer 19

*Pituitary glands signal ovaries to boost estrogen production
*Estrogen stimulates breast tissue growth (“breast buds”) as early as 8 or 9, but usually ten years old.
*Breasts typically reach full size in about three years, but the mammary gland does not mature fully until a woman has a baby
*Develop pubic and underarm hair at age 11
*Estrogen causes the labia, vagina, and uterus to develop during puberty, and androgens cause the clitoris to develop.

Question 20

Menarche

Answer 20

The onset of menstruation

*Current mean age in the U.S. is 13

Question 21

Hypothesis for earlier ages of puberty?

Answer 21

*Girls reach a certain body weight that triggers pubertal changes because fat cells secrete a protein that signals the brain to secrete hormones that raise estrogen levels

• Menarche comes later to girls who have a lower percentage of body fat

Question 22

Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

Answer 22

*Estrogen and Progesterone levels in girls vary and regulate the menstrual cycle
*Following menstruation, the sloughing of the endometrium tissue - - estrogen levels increase, leading to more growth of endometrium tissue.
*Girls begin to ovulate 12 to 18 months after menarche

Question 23

Truth or Fiction
Girls are fertile immediately, usually after their first menstrual period

Answer 23

Fiction
Girls usually begin to ovulate 12 to 18 months after menarche

Question 24

Early Maturers Boys

Answer 24

Pros:
*tend to be more popular and more likely to be leaders in school
*More poised, relaxed, and good-natured

Cons:
*early maturation associated with risks of aggression, delinquency, and abuse of alcohol and drugs
*coaches may expect more from them, and peers want them to fight their battles

Question 25

Early Maturers Girls

Answer 25

Pros:
*Popular in that boys like them and they “have” what late-maturing girls would like to develop

Cons:
*They feel awkward because they are among the first of their peers to experience physical changes
*Become conspicuous with their height and developing breasts
*Greater risk for psychological problems and substance abuse

Question 26

Late Maturers Boys

Answer 26

Pros:
*Have the “advantage” of not being rushed into maturity

Cons:
*Often feel dominated by early maturing boys
*more dependent, insecure, and involved in substance

Question 27

Truth or Fiction
Substance abuse is the leading cause of death among male adolescents in the U.S.

Answer 27

Fiction
Accidents, homicides, and suicides all account for larger numbers of deaths

Question 28

Nutrition

Answer 28

Physical growth occurs more rapidly in the adolescent years, with the exception of the first year of infancy.

*Average girl needs 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day
*Average boy needs 2,200 to 3,200 calories per day
*At peak, adolescents use twice as much calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and nitrogen

Question 29

Osteoporosis

Answer 29

A condition involving progressive loss of bone tissue (particularly in females)

Question 30

Anorexia Nervosa

Answer 30

An eating disorder characterized by an irrational fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and severe weight loss.

Question 31

Bulimia Nervosa

Answer 31

An eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating and purging to control weight gain.

Question 32

Perspectives on Eating Disorders

Answer 32

*Psychoanalytical theory suggests that anorexia may help young women cope with sexual fears (especially pregnancy)

*Disturbing risk factor is a history of child abuse, particularly sexual abuse

*Tend to run in families, which raises possibility of genetics factors

Question 33

Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders

Answer 33

Johnston and his colleagues (2016) note that parental and societal warnings may be getting through to adolescents because their substance use has declined steadily over the past generation.

Question 34

Substance Use Disorder

Answer 34

A persistent pattern of use of a substance characterized by frequent intoxication; impairment of physical, social, or emotional well-being; and possible physical addiction

*Most Psychologists use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Repeated use leads to changes in the “brain circuitry” that are connected with impaired control over the use of the substance, social problems, risky behavior, and biological factors suggestive of addiction

Question 35

Abstinence Syndrome

Answer 35

A characteristic cluster of symptoms that results from a sudden decrease in the level of usage of a substance (withdrawal symptoms)

*When addicted individuals lower their intake of alcohol, for example, they may experience symptoms such as tremors (shakes,) high blood pressure, rapid heart and pulse rate, anxiety, restlessness, and weakness.

*three most common types of abused substances are depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

Question 36

Depressants

Answer 36

Slow the activity of the nervous system, includes; alcohol, narcotics derived from the opium poppy (such as heroin, morphine, and codeine), and sedatives (such as barbiturates and methaqualone)

*Alcohol is an intoxicant: it distorts perceptions, impairs concentration, hinders coordination, and slurs speech.

*Heroine, morphine, and other opioids relief from pain but also provide a euphoric “rush.” [addictive and regular users develop a tolerance]

*Barbiturates are depressants with various medical uses, but people can become rapidly dependent on them

Question 37

Stimulants

Answer 37

*cocaine accelerates the heart rate, spikes the blood pressure, constricts the arteries of the heart, and thickens the blood; a combination that causes cardiovascular and respiratory collapse.
(overdose causes restlessness, insomnia, tremors, and even death)

*Amphetamines keep users awake for long periods and reduce their appetite.

*Methamphetamine abuse can cause brain damage, leading to problems in learning and memory.

Question 38

Hallucinogenics

Answer 38

Drugs that give rise to hallucinations
(Marijuana, Ecstasy, LSD, and PCP are hallucinogenic drugs)

*Marijuana is typically smoked, helping users elevate their mood, increase sensory awareness, and induce visual hallucinations

*Ecstasy is a popular party drug that provides a boost of a stimulant and mild hallucinogenic effects.
(this combination appears to free users from inhibitions and awareness of the consequences of risky behavior. Impairing working memory and increasing anxiety that leads to depression)

*LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) can impair coordination and judgment changing the mood and causing paranoid delusions.

Question 39

Formal Operations

Answer 39

The fourth stage in Piaget’s cognitive development theory is characterized by the capacity for flexible, reversible operations concerning abstract ideas and concepts, such as symbols, statements, and theories. (reached cognitive maturity)

Question 40

Hypothetical Thinking

Answer 40

Concept of “What might be”

Question 41

Sophisticated Use of Symbols

Answer 41

Formal-operational children can preform mental operations with symbols that stand for nothing in their own experience.

a. algebra symbols and their meanings
b. geometry points, lines, and circles
c. producing metaphors – figure of speeches and understand them in literature

Question 42

Adolescent Egocentrism

Answer 42

Have difficulty sorting out things that concern other people from the things that concern themselves.

Question 43

Imaginary Audience

Answer 43

The belief that others around us are concerned with our thoughts and behaviors as we are; is one aspect of adolescent egocentrism.

Question 44

Personal Fable

Answer 44

The belief our feelings and ideas are special and unique and that we are invulnerable; one aspect of adolescent egocentrism

Question 45

Truth or Fiction
It is normal for male adolescents to think of themselves as action heroes and to act as though they are made of steel.

Answer 45

True
These are examples of the “personal fable” at work. The fable in males is grounded in high levels of testosterone and immaturity of the part of the brain involved in judgement.

Question 46

Gender Differences in Cognitive Abilities

Answer 46

*Verbal Ability - Females surpass males in verbal ability throughout their lives [reading, spelling, grammar, oral comprehension, and word fluency]

*Visual-Spatial Ability - Males begin out to perform females on many types of visual-spatial tasks starting at age 8 or 9, and the difference persists into adulthood. [Ability to visualize objects or shapes and to mentally manipulate and rotate them]

Question 47

Mathematical Ability

Answer 47

In recent studies, Hyde (2008) found 2 million 2nd through 11th graders had no mean difference between males and females for performance in mathematics on standardized tests.

Question 48

Moral Development

Answer 48

In adolescence, many-not-all individuals become capable of formal-operational thinking, allowing them to derive conclusions about what they should do in various situations by reasoning from ethical principles.

Question 49

Post-conventional

Answer 49

According to Kohlberg, a period during which moral judgments are derived from moral principles, and people look to themselves to set moral standards.

*Stages 3 and 4 judgments are more frequent at all ages 7 through 16

*By age 16, stage 5 reasoning shown by about 20% of adolescents and Stage 6 reasoning was demonstrated by about 5% of adolescents.

Question 50

Stage 5

Answer 50

Legalistic and contractual
Laws stem from agreed-upon procedures, and many rights have great value and should not be violated.

Question 51

Stage 6

Answer 51

Based on universal ethical principles of human life, individual dignity, and reciprocity.

Behaviors that are consistent with these principles are considered right

Question 52

Moral Behavior and Moral Reasoning

Answer 52

Adolescents with higher levels of moral reasoning are more likely to exhibit moral behavior.

Question 53

Evaluation of Kohlberg’s Theory

Answer 53

Post Conventional thought occurs during adolescence, apparently because formal-operational thinking is a prerequisite.

*He underestimated the influences of social, cultural, and educational institutions on stages of moral development (not universal; in fact, it is absent in developing societies.

*Kohlberg later drops Stage 6 reasoning from this theory in recognition of this possibility.

Question 54

Dropping Out (of school)

Answer 54

Risk Factors: low grades, low self-esteem, problems with teachers, substance abuse, being old for one’s grade level, and being male.

Question 55

Preventing Drop Outs

Answer 55

Common Characteristics:

Early preschool interventions (Head Start)
Identification and monitoring of high-risk students
Small class sizes
Individual instruction and counseling
Vocational components that link learning & community work experiences
Involvement of families or community organizations
Clear and reasonable educational goals

Although, sometimes it is too late and the student is already on the verge of dropping out

Question 56

Adolescents in the Workforce

Answer 56

1/2 Sophomores
2/3 Juniors
3/4 Seniors
Have jobs during the school year (boys and girls equally work, but boys work more hours)
2 to 3 million work illegally (without work permits)

Pros:
*Development of a sense of responsibility, self-reliance, and discipline, learning to appreciate the value of money and education, acquiring positive work habits and values, and enhancing occupational aspirations.

Cons:
Working provides more of an opportunity to access various substances.
And working more than 13 hours a week:
Lowers grades, higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse use, more delinquent behavior, lower self-esteem, and higher levels of psychological problems.

Question 57

Career Choices

Answer 57

Hollads (1997) Career Typology Matches Types:
Realistic
Investigative
Artistic
Socially
Oriented
Enterprising
Conventional

Question 58

Self-efficacy Expectations

Answer 58

Beliefs that we will be able to meet the requirements of our situation successfully.