Adolescence Development Unit 1

Adolescence

The developmental stage that begins with puberty and ends upon reaching socio-cultural expectations of adulthood.

Culture

Shapes development, how we define adolescence, and how we view adolescence.

Psych View on Adolescence

Includes perspectives such as Storm & Stress, Sociocultural, Inventionist, and Positive Youth Development.

Storm & Stress

A psychological perspective on adolescence, suggesting turbulent emotional changes during this period.

Baltes’ Lifespan Development Theory

Suggests that development is lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, has plasticity, and is influenced by biological, cultural, and individual factors.

Ecological Systems Theory

Bronfenbrenner's theory that development is influenced by multiple, interacting contexts including relationships and institutions.

Social Cognitive Theory

Bandura's theory stating that behavior is a result of reciprocal determinism involving cognitive, behavioral, and environmental interactions.

Stage Environment Fit Theory

Examines how context can affect adolescent development, indicating that greater mismatch leads to worse outcomes.

Data Collection Methods/Tools

Include Observation, Survey, Interview, Standardized Test, and Bio/Physiological Measures.

Research Designs

Include Descriptive, Correlational, Experimental, Longitudinal, Cross-sectional, Cross Cultural, Experience Sampling Method, and Case Study.

Descriptive Studies

Research methods that describe characteristics or conditions of a population without manipulating variables.

Experimental Studies

Study designs that determine causal relationships by manipulating the independent variable and measuring the dependent variable.

Intervention Studies

Studies designed to assess the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention on a particular behavior or outcome.

Correlational Studies

Research aimed at identifying relationships between two variables without manipulating them; correlation does not imply causation.

Case Study

In-depth investigation of a unique person or group, often used in clinical fields.

Cross Cultural Studies

Research that compares differences between various cultural groups by having people from different cultures participate in the same study.

Longitudinal Studies

Research involving the same participants over different time points to examine changes over time.

Experience Sampling Method

Research method that examines relatively frequent fluctuations by having the same people participate at multiple timepoints over a short period.

Cross Sectional Studies

Research comparing differences by age groups, using different aged people at the same time.

Community-Based Research

Research that elevates the ideas and voices of the community or priority population, involving stakeholders in the research process.

Qualitative Data

Rich descriptions of experiences, feelings, or thought processes.

Quantitative Data

Data that explores measurable outcomes such as brain scans and hormone levels.

Evolutionary Perspective

Explains behaviors through adaptation, natural selection, and survival-related factors.

Nature vs Nurture

Debate surrounding the influence of genetic factors (nature) versus environmental factors (nurture) on development.

Heredity-Environment Correlations

The interaction between genetic tendencies and environmental factors that shape a child's development.

Passive Correlation

Children inherit genetic traits from parents and are provided with environments that reflect those traits.

Evocative Correlation

A child's genetic tendencies provoke reactions from the environment that enhance those traits.

Active (Niche-Picking) Correlation

Children actively seek out environments that reflect their interests and talents, aligning with their genotype.

Puberty

The brain-neuroendocrine process that triggers rapid physical changes and sexual maturation during early adolescence.

HPG Axis

Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis that regulates sex hormones and initiates gonadarche.

Precocious Puberty

Very early onset of puberty, occurring before age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys.

Risk Factors of Puberty Onset

Biological and environmental factors affecting early or late onset of puberty include weight, hormone levels, and family dynamics.