Lesson 6: Adolescence Flashcards
What is adolescence?
Adolescence is the period from puberty to adulthood, typically ages 10-18.
What triggers physical changes during puberty?
Hormonal changes trigger physical development during puberty.
What is distal-proximal development?
Growth occurs from the extremities (hands and feet) toward the torso during adolescence.
How much do adolescents typically grow during the growth spurt?
Adolescents add 10-11 inches in height and 50-75 pounds in weight.
At what age do boys and girls typically start puberty?
Girls begin around age 10, and boys begin about two years later.
What are primary sexual characteristics?
Changes in the reproductive organs, such as testes growth in boys and menarche in girls.
What are secondary sexual characteristics?
Visible changes like breast development in girls and voice deepening in boys.
What is spermarche?
The first ejaculation of semen, occurring between ages 11 and 15.
What factors influence the onset of menstruation?
Stress, higher body fat percentage, and nutrition can affect the timing of menarche.
How does acne relate to puberty?
Hormonal changes cause overactive sebaceous glands, leading to acne.
What happens to the brain during adolescence?
The brain becomes more interconnected and specialized through myelination and synaptic pruning.
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in adolescence?
It governs impulse control, planning, and decision-making but matures fully in the mid-20s.
What is the limbic system’s role in adolescence?
It regulates emotions and rewards, making adolescents seek novelty and excitement.
How does dopamine affect adolescent behavior?
A peak in dopamine sensitivity enhances the desire for rewards and risk-taking.
Why is the adolescent brain more vulnerable to drug exposure?
Neurological changes during adolescence increase susceptibility to long-term effects.
How much sleep do adolescents need?
Adolescents require 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
What percentage of adolescents get adequate sleep?
Only 9% of older adolescents get the recommended amount of sleep.
How does insufficient sleep impact adolescents?
It causes irritability, poor academic performance, and increased risk of substance abuse.
What is a circadian rhythm shift?
A biological change during puberty that delays sleep onset in adolescents.
Why do experts recommend later school start times?
To align with adolescents’ biological sleep patterns and improve outcomes.
What are the three main types of eating disorders?
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.
What is anorexia nervosa?
An eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction and an intense fear of weight gain.
What is bulimia nervosa?
An eating disorder involving cycles of binge-eating followed by purging.
What is binge-eating disorder?
Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food without compensatory behaviors.
How is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) used in treating eating disorders?
It helps patients identify and change distorted thoughts and behaviors.
What stage of Piaget’s theory applies to adolescence?
The formal operational stage.
What is hypothetical-deductive reasoning?
The ability to develop hypotheses and systematically test them.
What is adolescent egocentrism?
A heightened self-focus where adolescents believe they are unique and invulnerable.
What is an imaginary audience?
The belief that others are constantly observing and judging an adolescent.
What is a personal fable?
An adolescent’s belief in their uniqueness and immunity to harm.
What is the status dropout rate?
The percentage of 16-24-year-olds not enrolled in school and without a diploma or GED.
How has the dropout rate changed since 1990?
It declined from 12% in 1990 to 7% in 2013.
Which ethnic group has the highest dropout rates?
Hispanic adolescents historically have higher dropout rates compared to Whites and Blacks.
What factors contribute to dropping out of school?
Poverty, lack of parental involvement, and low academic achievement.
How does dropping out affect future earnings?
High school dropouts earn significantly less over their lifetime compared to graduates.
What are the benefits of adolescent employment?
Extra income, skill-building, and career exploration.
What risks are associated with working over 20 hours per week?
Lower grades, increased substance use, and disengagement from school.
Why are teen employment rates declining?
Economic shifts and fewer available jobs for teenagers.
How does work during adolescence influence adult work ethics?
It can foster responsibility and time management skills.
What is the “precocious maturity” concern with adolescent work?
Teens may adopt adult-like roles prematurely, affecting their development.
What is the leading cause of death for teens aged 15-20?
Motor vehicle accidents.
Why are teen drivers more prone to accidents?
Inexperience, risk-taking, and distractions like cell phones.
How does having teen passengers affect accident risk?
It increases the likelihood of accidents by 44%.
What gender has higher fatal crash rates among teens?
Male teen drivers.
What laws have helped reduce teen driving accidents?
Graduated driver licensing and raising the drinking age to 21.
What is Erikson’s psychosocial task for adolescence?
Identity vs. role confusion.
What is identity diffusion?
A lack of commitment to any identity or exploration of options.
What is identity moratorium?
Active exploration of identities without making commitments.
What is ethnic identity achievement?
Understanding and appreciating one’s cultural heritage.
What is MAMA cycling?
Repeatedly moving between identity moratorium and achievement.
How does autonomy affect parent-teen relationships?
Teens seek greater independence, which can increase conflict.
What is deviant peer contagion?
Peers reinforcing negative behaviors like substance use or rule-breaking.
How do romantic relationships influence adolescents?
They contribute to identity formation and emotional development.
What are crowds in adolescent peer relationships?
Groups defined by shared reputations, such as “jocks” or “brains.”
What is the role of mixed-sex peer groups in early adolescence?
They provide a context for socializing and early romantic relationships.
Why are adolescents more prone to risky behaviors?
The imbalance between the mature limbic system and the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex.
How does peer influence affect adolescent decisions?
Peers amplify risk-taking through encouragement and group dynamics.
What is the leading substance of abuse among teens?
Alcohol.
How does social media influence adolescent risk behaviors?
It can normalize risky activities and increase peer pressure.
What interventions reduce adolescent risk behaviors?
Education, parental involvement, and structured extracurricular activities.
