Module 06.01 Phys. Dev. in Adolescence Flashcards
What is adolescence?
The transitional stage between childhood and adulthood, typically occurring between ages 10-19, marked by biological, cognitive, and social development.
What is puberty?
A biological process in adolescence characterized by physical changes such as growth spurts, hormonal shifts, and the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.
What is a growth spurt in adolescence?
A rapid increase in height and weight due to hormonal changes, occurring earlier in females (~10-12 years) than in males (~12-14 years).
What are primary sexual characteristics?
Reproductive organs that develop during puberty, such as testes and ovaries.
What are secondary sexual characteristics?
Non-reproductive physical traits (e.g., body hair, breast development, voice deepening) that emerge during puberty.
What is menarche?
A female’s first menstrual cycle, marking the onset of reproductive capability.
What is spermarche?
The first ejaculation of sperm in males, typically occurring around age 13-14.
What hormones play a major role in puberty?
Testosterone (males), estrogen and progesterone (females), and growth hormone (both sexes).
What is the function of the pituitary gland in adolescence?
It releases hormones (such as growth hormone, gonadotropins) that trigger puberty and regulate growth.
What role does the prefrontal cortex play in adolescent development?
It matures last, improving reasoning, impulse control, and decision-making, but is still developing, making adolescents prone to risk-taking.
What happens in the adolescent brain during myelination and synaptic pruning?
Myelination increases efficiency in neural communication, while pruning eliminates unused neural connections, refining cognitive functions.
What are the Tanner Stages?
A classification system describing the physical changes during puberty across five stages.
What is the secular trend in puberty?
The observation that puberty has been occurring at younger ages over the past century, likely due to improved nutrition and health.
Why are adolescents prone to risk-taking?
The prefrontal cortex (responsible for judgment) matures later than the limbic system (responsible for emotions and reward-seeking).
How does puberty affect adolescent sleep patterns?
Melatonin production shifts later, leading to later bedtimes and sleep deprivation in teens.
How does Erikson’s theory relate to adolescence?
Adolescents face the Identity vs. Role Confusion stage, where they explore self-concept and future roles.
How does Piaget describe adolescent cognition?
Adolescents enter the formal operational stage, where they develop abstract and hypothetical thinking.
How does Freud’s theory relate to adolescence?
Adolescents enter the genital stage, where sexual interests and identity formation become central.
How does Kohlberg’s theory apply to adolescence?
Many adolescents move into the conventional or postconventional stages of moral reasoning.
What does Vygotsky’s theory say about adolescence?
Cognitive development is influenced by social interactions and cultural tools like language and education.
What was G. Stanley Hall’s contribution to adolescent psychology?
He coined the term storm and stress, describing adolescence as a turbulent period of emotional extremes.
What are Marcia’s identity statuses?
Identity diffusion, identity foreclosure, identity moratorium, identity achievement, representing different stages of identity development.
What is the Dual Systems Model of adolescent behavior?
It suggests a mismatch between the emotional/reward system (matures early) and the cognitive control system (develops later), explaining impulsive behavior.
How does Bronfenbrenner’s theory relate to adolescence?
Adolescent development is influenced by multiple environmental layers: microsystem (family, peers), mesosystem (interactions), exosystem (media, policies), macrosystem (culture, economy), and chronosystem (historical changes).
