Psych Ch. 6

What is puberty? (215)

Puberty is a period of rapid growth and sexual maturation

What are the key changes associated with puberty? (215)

growth spurt, weight changes, changes in reproductive systems, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics

At what age does puberty typically begin for girls compared to boys? (215)

10 while boys at 12

What are primary sexual characteristics, and how do they relate to reproductive organs? (216)

Changes in the reproductive organs. In males, the growth of the testes, penis, scrotum, and spermarche. In females, the growth of the uterus and menarche

What are secondary characteristics, and how do they signal sexual maturity? (216)

They are visible physical changes not directly linked to reproduction but signal sexual maturity.

Ex: breast development, wider hips, facial hair, broader shoulders, deeper voice, and pubic and underarm hair.

What do the terms menarche and spermarche refer to, and why are they significant? (218)

Menarche: a female’s 1st menstrual period

Spermarche: a male’s first ejaculation of semen

Why are women born with all of their eggs already produced, and what does this mean for development? (216-217)

Females are born with immature egg cells stored in their ovaries. Beginning at puberty, an egg typically matures and is released about every 28 days during the menstrual cycle.

What changes in brain maturation occur during adolescence? (219)

The brain becomes more interconnected and specialized. Myelination increases, synaptic pruning makes neural connections more efficient, the corpus callosum thickens, and connections between the hippocampus and frontal lobes strengthen.

What is the role of the limbic system and prefrontal cortex in adolescent behavior and emotions? How can the mismatch in these structures lead to risky behavior? (220)

The limbic system regulates emotions and rewards and is associated with seeking new experiences and interacting with peers. The prefrontal cortex controls impulses, planning, organization, and decision-making. The limbic system develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex, adolescents may experience strong emotions and reward-seeking before their impulse control is fully developed. This mismatch can lead to risky behavior and poor decisions.

Why might adolescents focus more on rewards than risks when making decisions? (220)

Adolescents are more sensitive to rewards, especially social rewards from friends. This can cause them to focus on the possible excitement or benefits of an action rather than its potential dangers

Which naturally occurring chemical is involved in reward circuits, and how does it influence behavior? (220)

Dopamine, during adolescence it makes rewards feel especially appealing and encourage risk-taking

What chemical facilitates bonding and makes social connections more rewarding?(220)

Oxytocin

How does a change in circadian rhythms affect adolescents as they go through puberty? (221)

These rhythms shift adolescents’ natural sleep schedules later in the evening. This makes it harder for them to fall asleep early and wake up the next morning.

_______ eating disorder involves binge eating followed by purging? ______ involves food restriction and fear of weight gain (224)

Bulimia nervosa, Anorexia

How does the cognitive-behavioral approach help people with eating disorders? The Maudsley approach? (224)

CB approach helps people identify distorted thinking patterns and change inaccurate beliefs that contribute to binge eating and purging. Maudsley approach Involves parents actively in treating adolescents with anorexia nervosa, including taking responsibility for feeding their child

What does the term “abstract” principles mean, and how do they relate to adolescent thinking? (225)

abstract principles are ideas that do not have a direct physical reference, like love, beauty, freedom.

What does developing hypotheses based in logical possibilities involve? (225)

It involves thinking about what could logically happen, forming possible explanations, and testing those possibilities systematically instead of relying only on trial and error

How do adolescents use hypothetical-deductive reasoning differently than younger children? (225)

Adolescents can consider multiple possibilities before solving a problem and test them systematically. Younger children are more likely to use trial and error.

What is the term for the heightened self-focus many adolescents experience? (226)

Adolescent egocentrism

What is the imaginary audience and the personal fable? How do they affect adolescent behavior? (226)

imaginary audience is the belief that other people are constantly paying you attention and judging

Personal fable is the belief that you are unique, special, and invulnerable to harm.

What is it called when one thinks about their own thoughts and feelings? (227)

Introspection

What happens when adolescents overcomplicate a problem and fail due to simplicity? (227)

pseudostupidity

What does it mean when people pretend to be something they are not? (227)

Hypocrisy

What does it mean to insist on high standards of behavior? (227)

Idealism

When is self-regulation or impulse control especially likely to fail? (227)

When a person experiences high stress or when a situation places heavy demands on their mental abilities

How is inductive reasoning defined? What about deductive reasoning? Which type of reasoning is more likely to produce accurate results? (227)

• Inductive reasoning: Using specific observations to develop a general conclusion. The conclusion is not guaranteed to be accurate.

• Deductive reasoning: Starting with a general principle and using it to reach a specific conclusion. It guarantees a truthful conclusion when the original premises are accurate.

What is a dual-process model, and how does it explain adolescent thinking? (228)

The dual-process model explains that people use two different systems of thinking:

Intuitive thinking: Fast, automatic, unconscious, and emotional.

Analytic thinking: Deliberate, conscious, and rational.

Adolescents may rely more on intuitive thinking than adults, which can make their decisions more influenced by emotions.

How does self-concept change in adolescence, and why might it include contradictions? (233)

Adolescents develop a more detailed understanding of themselves and recognize that their personalities and behaviors can change depending on the situation.

What areas of competence are associated with high self-esteem, and which is not? (233)

peer relationships, physical appearance, and athletic abilities

According to Erikson, what is the primary psychosocial task of adolescence? (233)

identity vs. role confusion

According to Marcia’s theory, what characterizes the identity foreclosure, moratorium, achievement, and diffusion statuses? (234-235)

• Identity foreclosure: Committing to an identity without exploring other options.

• Identity moratorium: Exploring different identities but not yet making a commitment.

• Identity achievement: Exploring options and then committing to an identity.

• Identity diffusion: Neither exploring options nor committing to an identity.

What is involved in determining one’s ethnic identity? (235)

involves understanding who you are in relation to your ethnic or racial ancestry, working through positive and negative feelings about your own and other groups, and identifying your place in relation to them

In Phinney’s model, what stage describes someone who has given little thought to their ethnic heritage? (236)

unexamined ethnic identity

What are most common issues in conflicts between teens ad their parents? (237)

chores, homework, curfew, dating, and personal appearance.

What is it when adolescents choose to spend time with peers like themselves? (238)

homophily

What is the term for when peer behavior reinforces problem behavior in adolescents? (238)

deviant peer contagion

What are cliques, and what role do they play in social development? (238)

small groups of individuals who interact frequently. They provide companionship, social support, and opportunities to develop friendships and social skills during adolescence.

What purposes does dating serve during teen years? (239)

Dating provides fun, companionship, social status, socialization, sexual experimentation, intimacy, and opportunities to select a long-term partner, especially in late adolescence.

Girls begin puberty how much earlier than boys? (NH)

about 2 years

A kid knows something is risky but does it anyway. Which brain systems are developing at different rates? (NH)

Limbic system and prefrontal cortex

All mammals are warm-blooded. Dolphins are mammals, therefore dolphins are warm blooded. This is: (NH)

deductive reasoning

A student is exploring different careers but has not committed to one. Which identity status fits best? (NH)

identity moratorium

2 teens begin puberty at the same age, but one progresses faster. This difference is called: (NH)

Pubertal tempo