unit I Flashcards
What ages typically define adolescence?
Begins around ages 12-13 and lasts until 18-20.
What are key experiences during adolescence?
New experiences, biological changes, less interaction with parents, increased interaction with peers, dating, body image concerns, abstract and idealistic thinking.
What did Stanley Hall describe adolescence as in 1904?
A period of “storm and stress” due to emotional turmoil and developmental changes.
What is puberty?
A period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes during adolescence, including growth spurts and sexual maturation.
What are common physical changes for girls during puberty?
Breast development, pubic hair, growth spurts (occurs 2 years earlier than boys), weight gain, and menarche (menstruation).
What are common physical changes for boys during puberty?
Growth in height and weight, facial hair, voice changes, and sexual maturation.
What hormones are involved in puberty for boys and girls?
Testosterone in boys (genital development) and estradiol in girls (breast, uterine, and skeletal development).
What changes occur in the adolescent brain?
synaptic connections are pruned, the corpus callosum thickens, and the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making) continues developing until age 25.
When does puberty typically begin for boys and girls?
Boys: 10-13.5 years, Girls: 9-15 years.
How does body image affect adolescents?
Adolescents, especially girls, are often dissatisfied with their bodies. Early-maturing boys tend to have a more positive body image, while both early and late maturation can impact girls’ body image.
What health habits should be developed during adolescence?
Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and sufficient sleep.
What is a common sleep-related issue in adolescents?
Biological clocks shift, causing delayed sleepiness and a lack of sleep, leading to irritability and tiredness.
What is the significance of sexuality in adolescence?
Adolescents explore sexual identity, which includes activities, interests, behavior, and sexual orientation. Sexual arousal and identity formation are key developmental milestones.
What are risk factors for sexual problems in adolescence?
Socioeconomic status, family and peer influences, academic achievement, and early sexual activity.
What are trends in adolescent substance use?
Substance use, including alcohol and cigarette use, declined from the 1990s to the 2010s, but boys are more likely to engage in risky behaviors than girls.
What is Piaget’s formal operational stage?
Adolescents develop abstract, logical, and idealistic thinking, and can engage in hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
What are the leading causes of death in adolescents?
Accidents, homicide, and suicide.
What are the two components of adolescent egocentrism?
Imaginary audience (believing others are focused on them) and personal fable (feeling unique and invincible).
How does decision-making evolve in adolescence?
Older adolescents make better decisions, especially when calm, but peer influence and risky contexts can lead to poor decision-making.
How does self-esteem change during adolescence?
Self-esteem may fluctuate, with gender differences (girls often having lower self-esteem). High self-esteem can lead to arrogance, while low self-esteem may cause insecurity.
What is narcissism in adolescence?
A self-centered, self-concerned attitude, often unaware of how others perceive them.
What did Erik Erikson contribute to the understanding of identity development?
Adolescents undergo an identity crisis, seeking independence and a sense of self, which leads to identity formation.
What are the identity statuses identified by James Marcia?
Identity achievement, moratorium (exploration), foreclosure (commitment without exploration), and diffusion (lack of exploration or commitment).
What influences identity development in adolescents?
Parenting practices, peer interaction, school opportunities, and societal context.
