Child Development. Feldman. Ch 14

Adolescence

The developmental stage between childhood and adulthood

Adolescent growth spurt

a period of very rapid growth in height and weight during adolescence. 4.1 inches for boys and 3.5 inches for girls

Puberty

period during which the sexual organs mature, begins when the pituitary gland in the brain signals other glands in children's bodies to begin producing the sex hormones, andorgens(male hormones) or estrogens(female), at adult levels
leptin hormone important to puberty
--Girls start at around 11 or 12
--boys begin at around 13 or 14

menarche

onset of menstruation. poor countries, it starts later. better nutrition has effect on when it starts. Athletes are know to start later than inactive girls. Obesity, which results in secretition of leptin starts menarche earlier.
Environmental stress (divorce family conflict) also leads to early onset

What has lead to earlier onset of puberty?

Reduced disease and improved nutrition

Secluar Trend

a pattern of change occurring over several generations. Early onset of puberty, increased height because of better nutrition

Body Image: reactions to physical changes in adolescnece

1) body image involves an adolescent's own reactions
a) Western society's view of menarche have become more positive than they used to be so girls tend to have higher self-esteem, increased status, and self awareness when they begin menstruating
b) Boys' first ejaculation is roughly equivalent to girls' menarche, but it is rarely discussed. spermarche

Menarche

the onset of menstruation
-Leptin is a hormone associated with the onset of menstruation
-it appears that girls who are better nourished and healthier are more apt to start menstruation at an earlier age than those who suffer from malnutrition or chronic disease
-Environmental stress due to such factors as parental divorce or high levels of family conflict can bring about an early onset

Primary sex characteristics

characteristics that are associated with the development of the organs and structures of the body that directly relate to reproduction

Secondary sex characteristics

the visible signs of sexual maturity that do not involve the sex organs directly

Age of Onset

occurs earlier in more economically advantaged countries than in poorer nations
-even in wealthier countries, girls living in more affluent circumstances begin to menstruate earlier than those living in less affluent situations

Early Maturation for girls

Difficult for girls
-1) early maturing girls tend to feel uncomfortable and different from their peers. They may have to endure ridicule from less mature classmates
2) they tend to be sought after as potential dates, but they may not be ready yet to deal with dating situations
3) Reactions depend on cultural norms

Late Maturation for Girls

Complicated
1) late maturing girls can be overlooked and have low social status at first
2) when they catch up, their self-esteem is high

What accompanies menarche?

Increase in self esteem, greater self awareness as adolescent girls see themselves as becoming adults

Puberty in Boys

a) the penis and scrotum begin to grow at an accelerated rate at around the age of 12, reaching adult size about 3-4 years later
1) as penis enlarges, other primary sex characteristics are developing with enlargement of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, which produce semen
2) a boys first ejaculation, known as spermarche, usually occurs around the age of 13
B) Secondary sex characteristics are also developing
1) pubic hair begins to grow at around the age of 12, followed by underarm hair and facial hair
2) boys voices deepen as the vocal cords become longer and the larynx becomes larger

Early Maturation for boys

positive for boys
1) early maturing boys tend to be better at athletics, be more popular, have more positive self-esteem, and grow up to be more cooperative and responsible
2) on the other hand, these boys are more likely to have school difficulties and become more involved in delinquency and substance abuse with older friends
3) early physical maturation can lead boys into activities for which they are not adequately prepared

Late Maturation for boys

a) difficult for boys
1) smaller boys are seen as less attractive and have a disadvantage in sports
2) these difficulties often lead to decline in self-concept which can extend into adulthood

What accompanies first ejaculation?

Boys rarely mention it because they are reluctant to discuss budding sexulaity

How many adolescents are overweight?

1 in 5, 1 in 20 obese

What are the consequences of obesity

taxes circulatory system, high blood pressure, diabetes. 80% chance of becoming obese adults

What are the causes of obesity?

Lack of exercise. worse for black females.
Availability of fast foods.
leaisure time inside, watching TV electronics

Anorexia Nervosa

a severe and potentially life-threatening eating disorder in which individuals refuse to eat, while denying that their behavior or skeletal appearance is out of the ordinary
between 12 and 40 years old
10% males

Bulimia

An eating disorder that primarily afflicts adolescent girls and young women, characterized by binges on large quantities of food followed by purges of the food through vomiting or the use of laxatives
Viscous cycle can lead to heart failure

Causes of eating disorders

Dieting and the feelings of control and success can lead to more and more weight loss.
Girls who mature earlier have high level of body fat
Clinically depressed adolescents
Possible biological causes. Genetic component in twin studies
Hormone imbalances
Perfectionistic, overdemanding parents
Culture in US

What are the treatments of anorexia and bulemia

psychological therapy and dietary modifications. Hospitalization can be mecessary

How does brain development contribute to cognitive growth in adolescents?

Adolescent brain is pruned, myelinization increases.
Prefrontal cortex undergoes considerable development and communicates more with other parts of the brain. It also provides impulse control. They underestimate risks and overestimate rewards.

When can adolescents better at restraining impulsivity?

When white matter relpaces grey matter

Causes of sleep deprivation

-increasing academic and social demands
-less sleep

Consequences of sleep dep

-sleep deprived daze
-lower grades, more depressed, less mood control
-greater risk for auto accidents

Stress

the physical response to events that threaten or challenge us
-long term exposure to stressors may result in reduction of body's ability to deal with stress
1) some beneficial outcomes. 'emergency reaction' - a biological reaction, as certain hormones secreted by the adrenal glands cause a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and sweating
2) Long-term, continuous exposure to stressors may result in body deterioration and susceptibility to disease
3) moderate, occaisional stress is biologically healthy , producing physical reactions that facilitate the body's defense against threats, but long exposure to stressors produces damaging physical and psychosomatic effects

What are the causes and effects of stress?

Headaches, back aches, skin rashes, indigestion, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances and even the common cold.

Psychosomatic disorders

Medical problems caused by the interaction of psychological, emotional, and physical difficulties
-stress becomes particularly wearing during teenage years and can produce costs
- stress may cause psychosomatic disorders (ulcers, asthma, arthritis, and high blood pressure, and to more serious and life-threatening illness

Coping efforts

methods used to control, reduce, or tolerate the threats and challenges that lead to stress

Problem-Focused Coping

attempt to manage a stressful problem or situation by directly changing the situation to make it less stressful

Emotion-focused coping

involves the conscious regulation of emotion

Social support

assistance and comfort supplied by others

Defensive coping

unconscious resort to a strategy of denial, is less successful because it represents a failure to deal with the reality of the situation

How common is drug use in high school?

1 in 15 seniors smokes pot on a daily basis

why do kids use drugs?

Pleasure
escape
enhance academic performance - adderall
peer pressure

Addictive Drugs

drugs that produce a biological or psychological dependence in users that leads to powerful cravings for them. Changes in nervous system that no longer produces a high but must used to maintain perception of everyday.
Psychological addiction

How prevalent is alcohol use among adolescents?

3/4 of all college students drink.
3/4 of high school students seniors have had a drink.
1/5 of 8th graders have tried a drink
adolescent male athletes drink more than other groups.

Binge drinking

5 or more drinks in one sitting.
50% of College males and 40% college females have binge drunk in last two weeks.
Affects certain white matter of the brain

False consensus

The perception that since everyone is drinking you should start drinking too

Alcoholics

people who have learned to depend on alcohol and cannot control their drinking.
Alcoholism runs in families

How prevalent is tobacco use

Smoking is on the rise among girls. whites in lower socio economic households more likely to start smoking

Why do adolescents smoke?

rite of passage
influential models
highly addictive - people who smoke 10 cigarettes are 80% likely to become addicted
10% of high schoolers tried e-cigarettes

AIDS

(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is one of the leading causes of death among young people across the globe
-Has no cure, can be treated with a cocktail of powerful drugs

STI

Sexually transmitted Infection- an infection that is spread through sexual contact.
1 in 4 adolescents contract STI.
Most common HPV. Transmitted without intercourse.
Trichomoniasis
Chlamydia
Genital herpes
Gonorrhea syphillis

What is the largest population of AIDS victims?

African Americans and Hispanics - 70%

How many people have died from AIDS

25 million

How many people living with AIDS

34 million

What are the 5 things you can do to have safe sex?

Know your partner
Use condoms
Avoid the exchange of bodily fluids
Stay sober
Consider monogamy