Adolescence

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How does adolescence develop, according to the endocrine system?Once a threshold level of body fat is reached:  Fat cells (produce leptin) signal hypothalamus to increase production of GnRH (middle childhood)  GnRH signals the Pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH) & follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

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How do adolescents develop with changing levels in the endocrine system?Gametes (sex glands): Eggs females) and Sperm (males)  Sex hormones (adrenal glands): estrogens (females) and androgens (males)

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How does adolescence develop, according to changing levels of sex hormones?During puberty, the “set point” for androgens and estrogens increase in males and females, respectively.  Thermostat analogy  Testosterone  Males: 20x  Females: 4x  Estradiol  Males: 2x  Females: 8x

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What are the primary sex characteristics of adolescence?Maturation of the reproductive organs  Females: menarche  First menstrual cycle or “period”  Males: spermarche  First ejaculation of sperm

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What are the secondary sex characteristics of adolescence?Other visible parts of the body that signal (but are not directly involved with) sexual maturity (and, to some degree, differentiate males from females)  Girls: breasts, hips broaden, add fat  Boys: facial hair, voice change, shoulders broaden, add muscle  Both: underarm hair, pubic hair,

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How does body growth change during puberty?Girls hit growth spurt before boys (remember how awkward middle school was!?)  Girls: 10  Boys: 12 ½  The final average height will be more (i.e. taller) for boys  Not all parts of the body grow at the same pace  Asynchronicity leads to disproportionate, “gangly look”  Extremities hit growth spurt first

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What is the percentage of body fat of an adolescent?large proportion of body fat = experience puberty sooner  Most girls must weigh approximately 100 pounds before experiencing first period.  Globally, urban children are more often overfed and underexercised than rural children.

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What is the relationship between culture and puberty timing as it related to the secular trend?The “secular trend” downward in the age of menarche has occurred in every Western country for which records exist  i.e. girls are getting their first period SOONER than before  Possible reasons?  Primarily improved healthcare and nutrition  However, illness and thinness (e.g. due to over-exercise or malnutrition) tend to delay puberty  True for boys AND girls

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What are the differences in response to physical maturation in girls?Early maturing  Unpopular, withdrawn, low in confidence  Less positive body image  More deviant behavior  At risk for lasting difficulties  Late maturing  Popular  Sociable, school leaders  More positive body image

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What are the differences in response to physical maturation in boys?Early maturing  Popular, athletic stars, leaders  More positive body image  Viewed as well-adjusted, but report psychological stress, depressed mood  More deviant behavior  Late maturing  Unpopular  Anxiety, depression  Less positive body image

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What is the formal operations in adolescence?Ability to think scientifically and apply those concepts  Systematically (step-by-step with multiple variables)  Understand theory-evidence relationships  Hypothetical-deductive reasoning  Begins with a “possible” solution and ends with an answer that can be defended and explained (with evidence)  Abstract thinking  Something that cannot be directly experienced through the senses  Only exist at the conceptual level  Examples: justice, love, friendship, time

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What is the pendulum problem?unknown.

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What is adolescent egocentrism?Characteristic of adolescent thinking that leads young people (ages 10 to 14) to focus on themselves to the exclusion of others  Personal fable  Invincibility fable  Imaginary audience

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What is the personal fable?The belief that their thoughts, feelings, or experiences are unique, more wonderful or awful than anyone else’s.  Leads to exaggerated interpretation of one’s reality.

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What is the invincibility fable?Also called the optimistic bias  The belief that cannot be overcome or even harmed by anything such as unprotected sex, drug abuse, or high-speed driving.  Facilities risk behaviors

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What is the imaginary audience?Belief that other people are watching and taking note of his or her appearance, ideas, and behavior  self-conscious.  dominates social media activity

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What is Eric stage is occurring at adolescence?Identity vs. Role confusion.

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Explains Eric Ericksons identity vs. Role confusion?Adolescents reflect on identifications and decide which ones they want to embrace. Identity (fidelity)  Who am I?  Integrate varied perceptions of the self-concept into a coherent sense of self  Role Confusion  Lack of direction and selfdefinition  Earlier psychosocial conflicts not resolved  Unprepared for challenges of adulthood

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What is Marcia’s identity status categories?Achievement, Moratorium, Foreclosure, diffusion. Typical/healthy development involves moving from foreclosure or diffusion to moratorium and/or achievement

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What does High-High stand for in Marcias?Identity Achievement. I thought about it and I now know what I should do with my life.

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What does High-Low stand for in Marcias?Moratorium: I’m thinking about what I should do?

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What does Low-High stand for in Marcias?Foreclosure:”I’ve made a choice without thinking”.

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What does Low-Low stand for in Marcias?Idenity Diffusion: “I don’t know and I don’t care about what I am supposed to do with my life.

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What is the identity status as a function of age in childhood?In childhood and early adolescence, diffusion and foreclosure are the most common statuses.

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What is the identity status as a function of age in childhood?As adolescence progresses, individuals typically move towards moratorium and/or achievement  Not all aspects of identity progress/change at the same time, however.

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When is identity achieved?It depends... much individual difference  College attendance may delay identity achievement  Dellas & Jernigan (1990) watershed study of college students found that  39% had achieved identity for career  22% achievement in area of religion  13% for politics  Only 3% in same category for all 3  Reworking leads to “MAMA” cycles  Vacillate between Moratorium