Puberty Flashcards
What is Adolescence?
-Move from immaturity into maturity
-Transitions: Biological, psychological, social, economic
-Age range?
Teens (13 to 19)?
-Lengthened in 20th century to 10 to early 20s
What is the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis and what is the production of sex hormones?
-Hormonal feedback loop operated by the endocrine system
- Activation results in the production of sex hormones:
- -Estrogens – ex. Estradiol; increased prevalence in girls
- -Androgens – ex. Testosterone; increased prevalence in males
What are primary sex characteristics?
Related directly to reproduction
Changes in gonads => changes in hormones
What are the primary sex characteristics of boys?
- Boys
- -No sperm in testes at birth
- -Spermarche – first ejaculation – marks the start of sperm production
What are the primary sex characteristics of girls?
- Girls
- -Have all eggs at birth
- -Menarche – the first period – development of a mature egg (ovum)
What are secondary sex characteristics?
Other bodily changes (e.g., hair growth, deepening of voices)
What are the secondary sex characteristics of girls?
In Girls (less regular) Menarche is relatively late, appear physically mature before fertile
What are the secondary sex characteristics of boys?
In Boys (fairly orderly) Boys fertile before adult-like appearance
What are the secondary characteristics: growth spurts?
Parts of body don’t grow at same rate/time (noses and legs)
Peak - same velocity as toddler
Gender Differences
M: peak is 4 inches/year; stops around age 18
F: 3.5 inches/year; stops around age 16
What are the timing and tempos of puberty?
No “normal” timing or tempo
Onset of puberty
F: Early=7, late=13; M: Early=9.5, late=13.5
Tempo
Range from 1.5 to 6 years for F; 2 to 5 years for M
No relation between onset and tempo
Pubertal “Triggers?”
Genes: Age largely inherited
Earlier onset:
Leptin (F)
Father-absent homes (absent father effect; F)
Step-fathers (F)
Homes with conflict or abuse (F)
Better nutrition, sanitation, less infectious diseases (historical)
Later onset:
Nutritional deficiencies
Illness
Excessive exercise (F)
Attitudes toward Puberty: Boys
Spermarche–most aren’t prepared
Doesn’t usually cause undue embarrassment, anxiety, fear
More positive when prepared
Attitudes toward Puberty: Girls
Most girls welcome breast development
Menarche less negative today than past
Still, negative image of menstruation–excitement and fear
Girls whose moms are helpful and matter of fact about menarche report most positive experience
Effect on Behavior/Psychological Functioning
Biological changes direct effect on behavior
Testosterone—-Sex Drive/Activity
Effect on Behavior/Psychological Functioning
Biological changes cause changes in self-image which affects behavior
Bigger muscles—-Feeling like a grown-up—-Seek more independence
