Readings Lecture 2

Question 1

What is the average age of a girl at her first period now versus at the turn of the 20th century?

Answer 1

12 versus 14.5

Question 2

What is the role of the endocrine system?

Answer 2

To produce, circulate, and regulate hormones.

Question 3

What is the pituitary gland?

Answer 3

Area that controls hormone levels in general

Question 4

What is the hypothalamus?

Answer 4

Part of the brain that controls pit gland and has a concentration of GnRH.

Question 5

What is Adrenarche?

Answer 5

Maturation of the adrenal glands which triggers sexual feelings and body odour (lets one know that the other is fertile)

Question 6

Why is adolescence a period of great vulnerability?

Answer 6

Hormonal changes during puberty makes us more responsive to stress, which leads to an excess of cortisol.

Question 7

What environmental factors trigger earlier puberty?

Answer 7

More light exposure and fat cells. (lower melatonin, more leptin).

Question 8

Does puberty cause hormonal changes?

Answer 8

Yes, however many of those hormones already existed in our body and just didn’t go off until puberty.

Question 9

How can puberty affect the adolescent brain?

Answer 9

By making it more susceptible to emotional arousal and a desire for highly rewarding activities. This makes teens more susceptible to emotional and behavioural problems.

Question 10

What is peak height velocity?

Answer 10

When the adolescent is growing most rapidly, at the same rate as a toddler.

Question 11

What are the averages of peak height velocity for males and females?

Answer 11

4 inches for boys, 3.5 for girls.

Question 12

What is epiphysis?

Answer 12

The closing of the long bones in the body which is a marker of the conclusion of puberty.

Question 13

What percentage of ones adult body weight is gained during puberty?

Answer 13

1/2

Question 14

How much earlier does a growth spurt occur in females versus males?

Answer 14

2 years earlier. Girls are taller between aged 11-13

Question 15

What part of the body does the height gain happen in during puberty?

Answer 15

Mostly in the torso.

Question 16

What is the ratio of muscle to fat for boys versus girls?

Answer 16

3:1 for boys and 5:4 for girls.

Question 17

What are half the differences in physical performance caused by in men and women?

Answer 17

Differences in body fat.

Question 18

Which sex has a better diet during puberty?

Answer 18

Males. Girls (especially black girls), get less adequate nutrition especially with minerals like iron.

Question 19

What causes young girls to be more susceptible to feelings of body dissatisfaction during puberty?

Answer 19

Girls who mature early and begin dating early.

Question 20

What percentage of girls get pubic hair before breast development?

Answer 20

1/3

Question 21

What is a good indicator of sexual maturation in girls?

Answer 21

Changes in shape and definition of the areola and nipple.

Question 22

What is menarche?

Answer 22

The beginning of menstruation. Full reproductive function does not occur until several years after menarche, and regular ovulation follows after 2 years.

Question 23

What is typical in height and weight for late maturers versus early?

Answer 23

Late: taller
Early: heavier

Question 24

What are some ethnic differences in puberty in girls?

Answer 24

Black girls before Mexican American, both before white girls.

Question 25

Why is it possible that there are ethnic differences in puberty?

Answer 25

Possibly due to more frequent chemical exposures in their environment.

Question 26

What are the two most important environmental influences on pubertal maturation?

Answer 26

Nutrition and health. Earlier amongst individuals who are better nourished.

Question 27

What family factors can affect when puberty occurs in girls?

Answer 27

Father absent families, less cohesive households, or with a stepfather all are related to earlier puberty. Sexual abuse is also linked.

Question 28

How does a close relation with people not part of your biological family affect puberty (ex: step family etc)

Answer 28

Speeds it up.

Question 29

What are some easily measured markers of puberty in males and females?

Answer 29

Males: voice breakage Females: menarche

Question 30

Why are teenagers more vulnerable to risky behaviour now?

Answer 30

Due to puberty starting earlier, the brain areas that govern self-regulation are unaffected by puberty, so children are seeking out risky and sensational things before self-regulation kicks in.

Question 31

Which gender and ethnicity is at the greatest risk of developing poor body image?

Answer 31

White girls

Question 32

What can rapid hormone increases at the start of puberty make each sex more susceptible to?

Answer 32

Boys: aggression, irritability, impulsivity Girls: depression.

Question 33

Does the increase in hormones during puberty cause moodiness?

Answer 33

Not likely. It's moreso their rapid fluctuation in early puberty that causes this.

Question 34

What percentage of teenagers report chronic insomnia?

Answer 34

10%

Question 35

How does early maturation affect boys?

Answer 35

They may feel better about themselves and be more popular. Also more likely to get involved in antisocial or deviant activities. More frequent and intense temper tantrums and depression

Question 36

What are some advantages for late maturing boys?

Answer 36

Higher ratings of intellectual curiosity, exploratory behaviour, and social initiative.

Question 37

How does early maturation affect girls?

Answer 37

More emotional difficulties, poorer self-image, higher rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and panic attacks. Can also experience higher emotiona arousal. Are also more popular. Victims of rumours and gossip. More likely to be involved in deviant behaviours and have sex earlier.

Question 38

What is the maturational deviance hypothesis?

Answer 38

Those who stand apart from their peers may experience more psychological distress.

Question 39

What is developmental readiness?

Answer 39

The idea that if one is younger when they begin puberty, they may not be ready to cope with challenges that come with it.

Question 40

How much does the bodies basal metabolism rate drop during puberty?

Answer 40

15%

Question 41

What percentage of American adolescents are obese?

Answer 41

1/6