PSYC1030 Quiz 4 Adolescence

Chronological definition of Adolescence:

Teenage years between 13 and 19.

Biological definition of Adolescence:

-Physical markers

-Starts: pre-pubertal height spurt (precedes puberty)
-Ends when reach full reproductive maturity (15-18 years)

Societal definition of Adolescence:

-Starts: Onset of puberty
-Ends: when adolescents assume adult responsibilities

First of physical changes during puberty marking onset of puberty

-Growth spurt (height)

How much height growth per year for males and females

-Females: 8.5cm/year for 2 years
-Male: 9cm/year for 2 years

Age of onset of growth spurt for males and females

-Females: 11 years
-Males: 13-14 years

Males who go through EARLY puberty experience: IMMEDIATE Positives

-Self assurance
-Attractive
-Masculine
-Popular

Males who go through EARLY puberty experience: IMMEDIATE Negatives

-Substance use
-Delinquency
-Psychological issues

Males who go through LATE puberty experience: IMMEDIATE effects

-Socially awkward
-Misbehave in class
-Anxious behaviours

Consequences in adulthood from EARLY puberty in males

-Domineering
-Responsible
-Self-control
-Rigid
-Conforming
-Advanced in their career
-Difficulty coping with stress
-Intimacy difficulties

Cause of EARLY puberty in males

Higher testosterone levels.

Consequences in adulthood from LATE puberty in males

-Good sense of humour
-Clearer insight into issues
-Sophisticated understanding of themselves
-Good intimate relationships

Females who go through EARLY puberty experience: IMMEDIATE Positives

-Greater independence
-Popular

Females who go through EARLY puberty experience: IMMEDIATE Negatives

-Substance use
-Delinquency
-Psychological issues
-Earlier sexual experiences
-Poorer marks
-Body image issues

Females who go through LATE puberty experience: IMMEDIATE effects

-Good marks
-Date later

Consequences in adulthood from EARLY puberty in Females

-Difficult social relationships
-Lower levels of education
-Mental health issues
-Substance use

Consequences in adulthood from LATE puberty in Females

-Higher levels of education

Males want to change what about themselves (stats)

-47% scholastic ability
-23% personality
-14% physical appearance

Females want to change what about themselves (stats)

-39% personality
-27% scholastic ability
-24% physical appearance

Male and Female adolescences both want to change the same 3 areas which are:

-Personality
-Scholastic ability
-Physical appearance

What are the risk factors for body dissatisfaction

-Media consumption
-Stressful home environment
-OCD
-Personality factors: perfectionist, internalising

Long term consequences for high body satisfaction

-High self esteem
-Positive peer relationships

Long term consequences for low body satisfaction

-Depression
-Eating disorders
-Exercise dependence
-Steroid use (males)

Three main changes for adolescences

-Physical changes
-Adult identities
-Survival

Secular trend

Long term linear trend in a single direction over time

Explanation for the Secular trend in menstration

-Better nutrition
-Better health care

According to Eric Erikson what is most important thing for adolescences in "forging identity"

Rights of passage

Key areas of challenge in establishing adult identity

-Relationships
-Work identity
-Ideologies (religion, politics)

Who coined term "identity crisis"

Eric Erikson

What is an example of artificial markers of adulthood ?

-Barmitzfa and confirmation

Stats on tribal marriage

-Females: 63% within 2 years puberty
-Males: 64% within 4 years puberty

For females marker of adulthood is menstration, what is this for males?

Once reached specific level of achievement

Example: Kill on hunt

Average age first marriage for men and women 1974 and 2014

-Women: 1974: 21
-Women: 2014: 28
-Men: 1974: 23
-Men:2014: 30

Increase of 7 years

Pros and cons of delayed adolescence

-Pro: time and freedom enabled fundamental cultural shift

-Con: Delay in social responsibilities

How long is the adolescent period historically compared to currently

-Historically: 2-4 year adolescent phase
-Currently: 8-15 year adolescent phase

Marcia's identity statuses

-Foreclosure
-Identity diffusion
-Identity achievement
-Moritorium

No crisis, yes commitment

Foreclosure

-Commitment
-Didnt thinking things through

"my dad is a builder he says im strong and wants me to do it, I will go through with that"

No commitment, no crisis

Identity diffusion

-Didn't think things through
-No commitment

Yes crisis, no commitment

Moritorium

-Thought things through
-No commitment

"I cant decide"

Yes crisis, Yes commitment

Identity achievement

-Crisis
-Commitment

Which of Marcia's stage's are most teenagers in (even by age 18)

-Identity diffusion
-Foreclosure

Which of Marcia's stage's are most adults in

-Moritorium
-Identity achievement

Most adolescences have achieved "identity achievement" by what age

21-24

Stats on adolescence car accidents

36% of accidents
<20% drivers on the road

Body at it's peak during adolescence, what are the physical benefits

-Strength
-Speed
-Immune function
-Fast healing
-Increased resistance to cold, heat, hunger, dehydration, injury

Mortality rates of adolescence

200-300% increase in mortality from child to adolescence

What is the nucleus accumbens

-Ancient part of brain
-Motivates us to get things desirable
-Accelerator

Synaptic pruning rids unused synapse connections and strengthens useful ones. What age is this happening

-2 and 15
-Major reorganisation at 2

How much synaptic pruning occurs at 2 years old

Up to 50%

Benefits of synaptic pruning

-Efficiency
-Think faster

Benefits of late development of pre frontal cortex

-Creativity
-Flexibility of thinking
-Adaptability