psych 250 exam 3 - adolescent development

what are the key developmental tasks of adolescence?

identity formation, autonomy, peer relationships, sexual maturation, cognitive development, and planning for the future

what is puberty

biological process of sexual maturation, leading to reproductive capability

what are the typical timing ranges for puberty in boys and girls?

girls = about 8-13 years

boys = about 9-14 years

what is the adolescent growth spurt?

rapid increase in height and weight during puberty

when does the growth spurt occur for each gender?

girls: about age 10

boys: about age 12

how much height is typically gained during the growth spurt?

girls: about 9 inches

boys: about 10 inches

what are primary sexual characteristics?

directly related to reproduction (ovaries, testes)

what are secondary sex characteristics?

physical traits not directly linked to reproduction (breast development, facial hair)

what is menarche?

a girl’s first menstrual period, signaling reproductive maturity

what is spermarche?

a boy’s first ejaculation, signaling reproductive maturity

what other major changes occur in body growth during puberty?

increased muscle mass in boys, fat accumulation in girls, changes in body proportion, development of body hair

how do girls’ and boys’ body changes differ?

girls: earlier growth spurt, more body fat

boys: later growth spurt, more muscle, broader shoulders

what factors influence pubertal timing?

genetics, environment, nutrition, health, and socioemotional stress

how do genes affect pubertal timing?

timing often runs in families; specific genes regulate hormone production

how does environment affect puberty?

nutrition, chronic illness, and exposure to endocrine disruptors can accelerate or delay timing

how does socioemotional stress influence puberty?

stressful family environments can lead to earlier puberty in girls

how do adolescents react to early maturation?

girls: may experience body dissatisfaction, peer teasing, and earlier dating

boys: often more confident, popular, athletic advantage

how do adolescents react to late maturation?

girls: generally more positive body image

boys: may feel socially awkward, lower self-esteem

what is the psychosocial impact of pubertal timing?

influences peer relationships, self-concept, and risk-taking behaviors

why is body image a focal concern in adolescence?

rapid physical changes, peer comparison, and media influence lead to heightened self-consciousness

how does brain development influence adolescent timing?

prefrontal cortex (decision-making), matures later than limbic system (emotions), leading to risk-taking

what is adolescent egocentrism?

heightened self-focus and belief that one’s experiences are unique

what are the two components of adolescent egocentrism?

imaginary audience: belief that everyone is watching

personal fable: belief that one is invulnerable or unique

How does abstract thought develop in adolescence?

adolescents can reason hypothetically, think about future possibilities, and consider multiple perspectives

what changes occur in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence?

increased myelination and synaptic pruning → better planning, impulse control, and reasoning

what changes occur in the limbic system during adolescence?

greater sensitivity to rewards and emotions → risk-taking and sensation-seeking

what is the “mismatch” in brain development?

limbic system matures before prefrontal cortex, explaining impulsivity and poor risk assessment

how does brain development affect decision-making?

adolescents may take more risks, especially in peer contexts

what is the role of experience in adolescent brain development?

learning and social experiences shape synaptic pruning and neural networks

why is adolescence considered a sensitive period for brain development?

rapid changes in neural structure makes adolescents highly adaptable but vulnerable

what was the experimental design of the stop-light game?

stimulated driving test to measure risk-taking under peer vs. alone conditions

what were the main measures in the stop-light game?

frequency of risky decisions (running yellow lights), reaction time, and peer presence effect

what were the main findings of the stop-light game?

adolescents take more risks when peers are present than when alone

what does the stop-light game demonstrate about adolescent behavior?

peer influence amplifies risk-taking due to socioemotional brain development

what is the implication for real-life adolescent risk?

risky behaviors (driving, substance use), are more likely in social contexts

how does the stop-light game connect to brain development?

shows the limbic system’s sensitivity to social reward before prefrontal regulatory control is fully mature