Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence Flashcards
What are the gender differences in academic achievement?
Girls perform better in reading skills; boys outperform in math skills; no differences in science scores.
These differences highlight the varying strengths in academic performance across genders.
What outcomes are associated with higher academic achievement?
Higher satisfaction with school and better relationships with schoolmates and parents.
These outcomes emphasize the importance of academic success on social and emotional well-being.
What is associated with skipping classes?
Involvement in high-risk behaviours, lower academic achievement, strained relationships with parents.
Skipping classes can indicate deeper issues in a student’s life that affect their education.
What factors are associated with early school leavers?
- Low SES families
- Lack of psychological support
- Peer influence
- Less involvement in clubs or sports
These factors illustrate the multifaceted nature of educational attainment.
What can improve motivation and academic outcomes for Indigenous students?
Integrating Indigenous cultural knowledge and perspectives into education.
This approach fosters a more inclusive and relevant learning environment for Indigenous students.
What is the impact of working more than 15-20 hours per week on high school students?
Detrimental to grades and increases personal stress.
Balancing work and school is crucial for maintaining academic performance.
What are the benefits of positive work experiences for students?
Increased feelings of competence and efficacy.
Positive work experiences can foster personal development and confidence.
What shifts occur in students’ goals from 5th to 6th grade?
Shift from task goals to ability goals.
This shift can affect students’ motivation and perception of success.
What is the significance of secondary school in a teenager’s life?
Sets a general pattern of success or failure that continues into adulthood.
The experiences in secondary school can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s trajectory.
What types of classes are associated with high levels of intrinsic motivation?
Elective classes and extracurricular activities.
Engagement in these activities can enhance a student’s enjoyment and investment in learning.
What is menarche?
The beginning of menstrual cycles in girls.
Menarche marks an important milestone in female puberty.
What are the average ages for menarche in Canadian girls?
Approximately 12.7 years old.
This age can vary based on health and nutritional factors.
What hormonal changes trigger body changes during puberty?
Changes in sex organs and broader changes in the brain, bones, muscles, and other organs.
These hormonal influences are crucial for reproductive maturity and overall development.
What is a secular trend in the context of puberty?
The decline in the average age of menarche and increases in average height due to improved nutrition and health.
This trend reflects broader societal health improvements over time.
What are primary sex characteristics in males and females?
- Males: growth of testes and penis
- Females: growth of ovaries, uterus, and vagina
Primary sex characteristics are directly related to reproduction.
What is the role of the pituitary gland during puberty?
Triggers other glands to release hormones, often referred to as the master gland.
The pituitary gland plays a critical role in regulating growth and development.
What are the characteristics of adolescent egocentrism?
- Belief that one’s thoughts are unique
- Personal fable: life events controlled by a constructed autobiography
- Imaginary audience: internalized behavioral standards from peers
These characteristics can influence adolescents’ self-perception and social interactions.
What are metamemory skills, and how do they change during adolescence?
Adolescents’ metamemory skills far exceed those of younger children by age 14 or 15.
Improved metamemory skills enhance learning and retention capabilities.
What are some physical changes that occur during adolescence?
- Growth of the heart and lungs
- Muscle fibers become thicker
- Increased strength in boys
- Changes in body fat distribution
These changes are crucial for overall physical development and health.
How does the brain develop during adolescence?
Volume of grey matter follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory; white matter increases steadily.
Different brain regions mature at different rates, impacting cognitive functions.
What is the typical sequence of pubertal development for boys and girls?
- Stage 1: No change
- Stage 2: Initial development
- Stage 3: Further enlargement
- Stage 4: Secondary mound formation
- Stage 5: Mature stage
Tanner’s stages provide a framework for understanding physical development during puberty.
What is adolescent egocentrism?
The belief that one’s thoughts, beliefs, and feelings are unique
Define personal fable.
The belief that the events of one’s life are controlled by a mentally constructed autobiography
What does imaginary audience refer to?
An internalized set of behavioural standards usually derived from a teenager’s peer group
Who was the first psychologist to explain the changes in thinking during adolescence?
Piaget
What is the formal operational stage in Piaget’s theory?
The fourth stage during which adolescents learn to reason logically about abstract concepts
What is systematic problem-solving?
The ability to search methodically for the answers to a problem
What is hypothetico-deductive reasoning?
The ability to derive conclusions from hypothetical premises
What is naïve idealism?
A mental construct of an ideal world as compared to the real world
What percentage of teens identify as exclusively heterosexual?
About 96%
What is the percentage of teens that classify themselves as exclusively gay or lesbian?
Just under 1%
What is the percentage of teens identifying as bisexual?
3.5%
What is the birth rate trend for teens aged 15 to 19 since the 1960s?
Declined by almost 50%
What factor significantly increases the likelihood of teen pregnancy?
Starting sexual activity at an early age
What is a factor that can reduce the likelihood of sexual activity among teens?
Moral beliefs regarding premarital sex
What is the most commonly reported infectious disease in Canada?
Chlamydia
True or False: Making condoms more available to teenagers increases their rate of sexual activity.
False
What are contributing factors in completed suicides among adolescents?
- Depression
- Personality disorders
- Behaviour problems
- Family history of psychiatric disorder or suicide
- A pattern of drug or alcohol abuse
- Some triggering stressful event
- An altered mental state
- An opportunity
What is the rate of suicide completion among adolescent boys compared to girls in Canada?
About 3 times higher
What are common risk factors for eating disorders?
- Discrepancy between internal image of a desirable body and perception of own body
- Emphasis on thinness
- Internalization of the ‘thin ideal’
- General tendency toward distorted thinking
What percentage of young women in Canada experience at least one major depressive episode?
25%
What is the effect of social media on depression and suicidal behavior?
Linked to depression and suicidal behavior, especially for female iGen adolescents
What is the average age of first-time drug use among Canadian youth?
13 to 14
What is the trend in cigarette smoking among Canadian youth since the 1970s?
Declined dramatically
What is the leading cause of death for Indigenous children aged 10 to 19 in Canada?
Suicide and self-inflicted injury
What is the percentage of Indigenous youth suicide compared to non-Indigenous youth?
6 to 11 times higher
What role does peer influence play in teen smoking?
Important role
What are the rates of new chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections in youth aged 15 to 19 in Canada since 2003?
On the upswing
What is the recommended immunization against HPV in Canada?
For females aged 9 to 45 and males aged 9 to 26
What percentage of teenage pregnancies are terminated through abortion?
Slightly more than half
What is the relationship between the number of risk factors and sexual activity in teens?
The greater the number of risk factors, the greater the likelihood of being sexually active
What is the trend in drug use among Canadian youth since the 1970s?
Steadily declining
What is the focus of effective sex education programs?
- Information about STIs and pregnancy
- Motivation to use the information
- Behavioural skills training
What is the effect of abstinence-only sex education programs according to scientific research?
No significant increase in the delay of first intercourse or reduction in prevalence of sexual behaviour in teens
What is the trend in heavy drinking among males aged 18 to 19?
39%
What percentage of students in Grades 7 to 12 have used alcohol in the past 12 months?
About 44%
What is the incidence of sexually transmitted infections among 15 to 19-year-old females?
18/1000 cases
What is the relationship between sensation-seeking and risky behaviors in adolescence?
Sensation-seeking leads to recklessness, increasing rates of accidents and injuries
What is the role of cultural continuity in reducing suicide rates among Indigenous youth?
Promotes significant suicide reduction
