Adolescent psych ch. 2

Puberty

A brain-neuroendocrine process occurring primarily in early adolescence that provides stimulation for the rapid physical changes that accompany this period of development

Hormones

Powerful chemicals secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream

Androgens

The main class of male sex hormones

Estrogens

The main class of female sex hormones

Hypothalamus

A structure in the brain that interacts with the pituitary gland to monitor the bodily regulation of hormones

Pituitary Gland

This master gland produces hormones that stimulate other glands. It also influences growth by producing growth hormones; it sends gonadotropins to the testes and ovaries and a thyroid-stimulating hormone to the thyroid gland. It sends a hormone to the adrenal gland as well.

Thyroid Gland

It interacts with the pituitary gland to influence growth

Adrenal Gland

It interacts with the pituitary gland and likely plays a role in pubertal development

Gonads

These consist of the testes in males and ovaries in females. Strongly involved in the appearance of secondary sex characteristics

Adrenarche

Puberty phase involving hormonal changes in the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. These changes occur about 6 to 9 years of age in girls and about one year later for boys

Gonadarche

Puberty phase involving the maturation of primary sexual characteristics (ovaries & testes) and secondary characteristics

Menarche

A girls first menstrual period

spermache

A boys first ejaculation of semen

Precocious puberty

The very early onset and rapid progression of puberty

Female athlete triad

A combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis that may develop in female adolescents and college students

Adaptive behavior

A modification of behavior that promotes an organism’s survival in the natural habitat

Evolutionary psychology

An approach that emphasizes the importance of adaptation reproduction, and "Survival of the fittest” in explaining behavior

Twin Study

A study in which the behavioral similarity of identical twins is compared with the behavior similarity of fraternal twins