HB NOTES
Biological marker:
Men: Initiation of puberty typically occurs between ages 9-14 with increased testosterone levels causing physical changes such as growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice, and increased muscle mass.
Women: Puberty usually starts between ages 8-13, marked by increased estrogen levels leading to breast development, onset of menstruation, and widening of hips.
Sex characteristics:
What are they determined by?: Primarily determined by genetics and hormonal influences which direct the development of sexual organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
What are primary sex characteristics?:
Men: Testes, penis, and associated structures responsible for reproduction.
Women: Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.
What are secondary sex characteristics?:
Men: Development of facial hair, increased muscle, deeper voice, and body hair.
Women: Development of breasts, wider hips, and body fat distribution.
What does it mean to be “on time”: Refers to individuals experiencing puberty at the average age for their sex.
What does it mean to be a “late bloomer”: Refers to individuals who experience puberty significantly later than their peers.
Early maturation:
How does early maturation affect girls?: May lead to increased attention from older peers, higher risk of depression, and involvement in risky behaviors.
How does early maturation affect boys?: Often leads to advantages in sports and social status, but may also increase susceptibility to pressure and risky behaviors.
Delayed or late maturation:
How does delayed maturation affect girls?: May lead to feelings of self-consciousness or exclusion, as they may not have developing bodies like their peers.
How does delayed maturation affect boys?: Often leads to feelings of inadequacy, lower self-esteem, and may affect social interactions.
Identity:
What influences your identity?: Influenced by family, culture, social relationships, and personal experiences.
Who is James Marcia?: A psychologist known for his theory on identity statuses in adolescence.
What is a commitment?: A personal investment in a particular identity, belief, or way of life.
What is a crisis?: A turning point or pivotal moment leading to a reevaluation of personal beliefs and identity.
Identity Foreclosure (define and provide an example): Commitment without a crisis; example: a teenager who adopts parents' values without questioning them.
Identity Diffusion (define and provide an example): Lack of commitment and lack of crisis; example: a young adult who is apathetic about their future and does not hold strong values.
Identity Moratorium (define and provide an example): Active exploration with no commitment; example: a teen exploring various belief systems but not settling on one.
Identity Achievement (define and provide an example): Commitment after a crisis; example: an individual carefully choosing their career path after reflecting on various options.
Egocentrism:
At what age does Egocentrism peak?: Egocentrism typically peaks during early adolescence, around ages 12-14.
Imaginary audience (define and provide an example): The belief that others are as concerned with them as they are; example: a teenager worried that everyone is judging their outfit.
Personal fable (define and provide an example): The belief that one's experiences are unique; example: a teen thinking they are the only one dealing with a broken heart.
Part 2: Adulthood
What is the “age of majority?”: The age at which a person is legally considered an adult, typically 18 in many countries.
At what age do you reach your physical peak?: Usually around age 25.
What happens to your metabolism?: Slows down, making it easier to gain weight.
What happens to your height and weight?: Most individuals achieve their adult height, weight can vary based on lifestyle.
What happens to your physical strength and overall fitness?: Peak physical strength typically begins to decrease gradually.
Is the Physical Peak universal for all humans?: No, it can vary based on genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.
Provide an example of an exception to the rule of Peak Physical Age: Professional athletes may peak earlier than age 25 due to intensive training.
What is the prefrontal cortex?: A part of the brain responsible for complex cognitive behavior, decision-making, and expression of personality.
When does your prefrontal cortex fully develop?: Fully develops around the mid-20s.
What happens to an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex?: May lead to poor decision making, impulsive behavior.
Who was Phineas Gage and what happened to him?: A railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury which damaged his prefrontal cortex.
What were his symptoms?: Significant personality changes and impaired decision-making abilities.
How did he recover?: Returned to work but struggled with changes in personality and social interactions.
What are the benefits of aging?: Accumulation of life experience, wisdom, and often greater emotional regulation.
What are some fears associated with aging?: Fear of loss of independence, health decline, and social isolation.
What are some common indicators of aging?: Wrinkles, gray hair, decreased mobility, and cognitive decline.
How have we fought against aging?: Advancements in medicine, fitness programs, and improved nutrition.
Part 3: Morality
What were the “baby lab” experiments?: Studies conducted to understand if infants possess innate ethical understanding.
Do babies have a sense of right and wrong?: Evidence suggests they show basic preferences for fair behaviors.
Are babies able to form a bias? Why?: Yes, babies can show biases based on early experiences and observations.
Who was Lawrence Kohlberg?: A psychologist known for his theory of moral development.
What did he study?: He studied how individuals develop moral reasoning through various stages.
What was an issue with his theory?: It was criticized for being culturally biased and predominantly male-oriented.
Who was Carol Gilligan?: A feminist psychologist who challenged Kohlberg’s theories.
What did she point out?: She noted different perspectives on morality, particularly among genders.
Generally, what are men's views on morality?: Often more focused on rules and justice.
Generally what are women’s views on morality?: Generally more focused on relationships and care.
Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development
Level 1 is called: Pre-conventional morality.
Stage 1 (provide a definition and an example): Obedience and punishment orientation; example: a child avoids punishment by not stealing.
Stage 2 (provide a definition and an example): Individualism and exchange; example: a child understands that others have interests and can negotiate for favors.
What is the main motivation of this level of moral development?: Avoidance of punishment and direct self-interest.
What is the moral authority of this level of moral development?: Authority figures or self-centered views.
Level 2 is called: Conventional morality.
Stage 3 (provide a definition and an example): Good interpersonal relationships; example: a person acts to gain approval from others.
Stage 4 (provide a definition and an example): Maintaining social order; example: a person believes in following laws and rules to uphold society.
How does the focus shift at this level?: From individual to societal norms and guidelines.
Who might be considered a trusted role model?: Authority figures, such as parents or teachers.
Level 3 is called: Post-conventional morality.
Stage 5 (provide a definition and an example): Social contract; example: recognizing the importance of individual rights.
Stage 6 (provide a definition and an example): Universal ethical principles; example: making decisions based on universal human rights.
How is this level different from level 1?: Focus on broader social contracts versus avoiding punishment.
What kind of rights are the main focus of this level of moral development?: Fundamental human rights and justice principles.