Lecture 1 Flashcards
Transitions of adolescence
- Early adolescence (10 to 13 yr.)
- Middle adolescence (14 to 17 yr.)
- Late adolescence (18 to 21 yr.)
- Emerging adulthood (early to late 20s)
Three primarily changes in adolescence
- Biological changes
- Cognitive changes
- Social transitions
The ecological perspective
Development has to be regarded through examining the environment (individual - micro-meso-exo-macro)
Psychosocial
Describes aspects of development which are both psychological and social in nature.
The theory of recapitulation
The development of an organism is parallel to the evolution the species has experienced. infancy - primitive period, adolescence - civilization. Instinct instead of environment.
The dual systems theory
The brain develops in two systems, which are not synchronized. This creates maturational imbalance.
The Freudian theory
Adolescence is a time of turmoil, psychosocial crises, and sexual urges.
The Eriksonian theory
Development is divided into stages, to develop one has to move on from one stage to another.
The Piagetian theory
Cognitive development, also through stages.
Behaviourists
Reinforcement and punishment as the main influence on learning (conditioning).
Social learning theorists
Learning via observational learning and imitation.
Adolescent marginality theme
The difference in power between adults and adolescents may leave the adolescent feel marginalized.
Intergenerational conflict theme
Adolescents and adults grew up under different social circumstances and therefore develop different attitudes, values and beliefs. This leads to tension between the generations.
Puberty
The period during an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction.
The three physical manifestations of puberty
- A rapid acceleration in growth
- The development of primary sex characteristics
- The development of secondary sex characteristics
The endocrine system
System that produces, circulates and regulates levels of hormones
Glands
Klieren
HPG axis
Responsible for the secration of sex hormones, is part of the HPA axis
The onset age of puberty has to do with
- The awakening of the HPG axis
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Environmental stress - the secretion of neuroendocrine
- Unrelated male member of the family
Epiphys
The closing of the ends of the long bones, signifies the end of puberty
The start of puberty is measured by
Girls: the onset age of menarche, boys: the mortality hump
The Tanner stages
The stages of the growth of secondary sex characteristics
The delayed phase preference
A pattern of sleeping later and waking later. Driven by biology (melatonin secretion later) and environment (reasons to stay awake)
The maturational deviance hypothesis
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.
Developmental readiness
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.
Cultural desirability of body types
Early maturation for girls means leaving behind the thinness, for boys this is a positive, as they will become taller and more muscular.
Social redefinition
A process through which an individual’s position or status is redefined by society.
The age of the majority
The age at which an individual is recognized as an adult.
Three mechanisms of neighbourhood conditions affect the behaviour and development of adolescents
- The neighbourhood conditions shape the norms and values of an individual. The collective efficacy influences the adolescent
- The stress associated with poverty undermines the quality of people’s relationships, the ability to be an effective parent.
- Impoverished neighbourhoods have a limited access to resources.
