Adolescent Development and Psychology

Today's Plan

  • The agenda for today's discussion includes the following topics:

    • Midterm Feedback

    • Course Feedback

    • Puberty

    • Brain Development

    • Sexuality

    • Health

    • Cognition

    • Formal Operational Stage

    • Egocentrism

Assessment Data

  • Standardized Assessment Scores Presentation

    • Performance Distribution:

    • High Score: 84%

    • Average Score: 50%

    • Low Score: 0%

    • Statistical Overview:

    • Total Number of Students Assessed: N/A

    • Standard Deviation: 14.01

    • Average Time Taken: 50:56 minutes

ABC Analysis Model

  • Definition and Components

    • A (Antecedents): Events that activate behavior (e.g., prompts, instructions, or signals).

    • B (Behavior): Any action on the part of the person.

    • C (Consequences): Events that follow behaviors, which can increase or decrease the likelihood of future behaviors.

Classical Conditioning

  • Explanation of Mechanism

    • Unconditioned Stimulus (US): A stimulus that naturally triggers a fear response (e.g., Loud Noise = Fear Reaction).

    • Unconditioned Response (UR): The natural response to an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., Loud Noise + Rat = Fear Reaction).

    • Neutral Stimulus (NS): Initially does not elicit a response but becomes associated (e.g., Rat = Fear Reaction after conditioning).

    • Conditioned Stimulus (CS): A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated, triggers a conditioned response.

Adolescent Development

  • What is Puberty?

    • Definition: The developmental transition from childhood to adulthood characterized by hormonal, physical, and emotional changes.

    • Typical Age Range:

    • Girls: 8–13 years

    • Boys: 9–14 years

    • Notably, there is no clear beginning or end to puberty phases.

Declining Age of Menarche

  • Overview of Trends

    • Definition: The first menstrual period experienced by girls.

    • Observations: Age at menarche has declined over the last century.

    • Influencing Factors:

    • Nutrition

    • Body fat

    • Stress

    • Environment

Influence on Self-Image

  • Self-Image in Adolescence:

    • Adolescents exhibit a strong preoccupation with body image, particularly in early developmental stages, which can lead to self-image issues.

    • Social Media Influence:

    • Linked to body dissatisfaction, especially among girls, who often report lower body satisfaction.

    • Peak Incidence: Eating disorders are notably prevalent during adolescence.

    • Recommended Support Strategies:

    • Communication with peers and family

    • Monitoring media exposure

    • Positive role modeling

Brain Development

  • The Adolescent Brain:

    • The brain continues to develop throughout adolescence and is not fully matured during this stage.

    • Key Areas of Development:

    • Prefrontal Cortex: Responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and maturity; it is the last area to fully develop.

    • Limbic System: Associated with emotions and risk-taking behaviors; adolescents often experience strong emotions.

    • Corpus Callosum: Involved in processing information and communication between brain hemispheres.

Adolescent Sexuality

  • Sexual Development and Health:

    • Adolescents explore sexual identity; noted statistics indicate that 38.4% of U.S. 9th–12th graders reported having engaged in sexual intercourse (data from 2019).

    • Recent Trends: A decline in sexual activity among adolescents, attributed to factors like:

    • Increased sexual education

    • Influence of digital media

    • Changing social norms

    • Conservative societal wave

    • Parental monitoring

    • Emotional readiness is often lacking, leading to risky behaviors including:

    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

    • Unplanned pregnancies

    • Emotional distress

    • Substance use exacerbates these risks

    • Family dynamics and quality of time spent together can counteract these risks.

Nutrition and Physical Activity

  • The habits formed during adolescence can persist into adulthood, influencing overall health

    • Common Issues: Low fruit and vegetable intake; inadequate breakfasts (data from 2019–2021)

    • Contributing Factors: High consumption of fast-food, low physical activity levels, and excessive screen time.

    • Benefits of Exercise: Associated with physical, cognitive, and emotional improvements.

Sleep Patterns in Adolescents

  • Phases of Sleep:

    • NREM Sleep: Composed of multiple stages:

    • Stage 1 – Light sleep

    • Stage 2 – Light sleep

    • Stage 3 – Deep sleep (slow-wave sleep)

    • REM Sleep: Critical for processing and memory consolidation.

    • Sleep Statistics: Only approximately 25% of U.S. teens achieve at least 8 hours of sleep per night.

    • Correlations of Poor Sleep:

    • Linked to increased alcohol and marijuana use

    • Associations with suicidal thoughts

    • Influenced by external factors such as electronics and caffeine consumption.

Cognitive Development

  • Piaget and the Formal Operational Stage:

    • Developmental Timeline: Typically begins around the age of 11.

    • Characteristics of This Stage:

    • Capacity for abstract thinking

    • Development of logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities

    • Ability to contemplate possibilities and ideals.

    • Connection to Kohlberg's theory of post-conventional morality, which emerges during this cognitive stage.

Adolescent Egocentrism

  • Concept of heightened self-consciousness during adolescence characterized by two phenomena:

    • Imaginary Audience: The belief that peers are constantly observing and judging their actions.

    • Personal Fable: A sense of unique experience and invincibility, often resulting in increased risk-taking behavior.

    • Impact of Social Media:** Harms egocentrism by providing constant feedback and portrayal of peer experiences.