Lecture 1

Question 1

Transitions of adolescence

Answer 1

1. Early adolescence (10 to 13 yr.)
2. Middle adolescence (14 to 17 yr.)
3. Late adolescence (18 to 21 yr.)
4. Emerging adulthood (early to late 20s)

Question 2

Three primarily changes in adolescence

Answer 2

1. Biological changes
2. Cognitive changes
3. Social transitions

Question 3

The ecological perspective

Answer 3

Development has to be regarded through examining the environment (individual - micro-meso-exo-macro)

Question 4

Psychosocial

Answer 4

Describes aspects of development which are both psychological and social in nature.

Question 5

The theory of recapitulation

Answer 5

The development of an organism is parallel to the evolution the species has experienced. infancy - primitive period, adolescence - civilization. Instinct instead of environment.

Question 6

The dual systems theory

Answer 6

The brain develops in two systems, which are not synchronized. This creates maturational imbalance.

Question 7

The Freudian theory

Answer 7

Adolescence is a time of turmoil, psychosocial crises, and sexual urges.

Question 8

The Eriksonian theory

Answer 8

Development is divided into stages, to develop one has to move on from one stage to another.

Question 9

The Piagetian theory

Answer 9

Cognitive development, also through stages.

Question 10

Behaviourists

Answer 10

Reinforcement and punishment as the main influence on learning (conditioning).

Question 11

Social learning theorists

Answer 11

Learning via observational learning and imitation.

Question 12

Adolescent marginality theme

Answer 12

The difference in power between adults and adolescents may leave the adolescent feel marginalized.

Question 13

Intergenerational conflict theme

Answer 13

Adolescents and adults grew up under different social circumstances and therefore develop different attitudes, values and beliefs. This leads to tension between the generations.

Question 14

Puberty

Answer 14

The period during an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction.

Question 15

The three physical manifestations of puberty

Answer 15

1. A rapid acceleration in growth
2. The development of primary sex characteristics
3. The development of secondary sex characteristics

Question 16

The endocrine system

Answer 16

System that produces, circulates and regulates levels of hormones

Question 17

Glands

Answer 17

Klieren

Question 18

HPG axis

Answer 18

Responsible for the secration of sex hormones, is part of the HPA axis

Question 19

The onset age of puberty has to do with

Answer 19

• The awakening of the HPG axis
• Genetics
• Nutrition
• Environmental stress - the secretion of neuroendocrine
• Unrelated male member of the family

Question 20

Epiphys

Answer 20

The closing of the ends of the long bones, signifies the end of puberty

Question 21

The start of puberty is measured by

Answer 21

Girls: the onset age of menarche, boys: the mortality hump

Question 22

The Tanner stages

Answer 22

The stages of the growth of secondary sex characteristics

Question 23

The delayed phase preference

Answer 23

A pattern of sleeping later and waking later. Driven by biology (melatonin secretion later) and environment (reasons to stay awake)

Question 24

The maturational deviance hypothesis

Answer 24

Argues that youngsters who stand far apart from their peers may experience more psychological stress. This is e.g. fo girls who start puberty earlier.

Question 25

Developmental readiness

Answer 25

States that younger adolescents are less ready to cop with the challenge of puberty. Because early boys are still later than ealry girls this explains the difference between the two sexes.

Question 26

Cultural desirability of body types

Answer 26

Early maturation for girls means leaving behind the thinness, for boys this is a positive, as they will become taller and more muscular.

Question 27

Social redefinition

Answer 27

A process through which an individual’s position or status is redefined by society.

Question 28

The age of the majority

Answer 28

The age at which an individual is recognized as an adult.

Question 29

Three mechanisms of neighbourhood conditions affect the behaviour and development of adolescents

Answer 29

1. The neighbourhood conditions shape the norms and values of an individual. The collective efficacy influences the adolescent
2. The stress associated with poverty undermines the quality of people’s relationships, the ability to be an effective parent.
3. Impoverished neighbourhoods have a limited access to resources.