DefinitionsDefinitionsAdolescenceAdolescenceDevelopmental stage between childhood & adulthood
PubertyPubertyThe maturation period during which the sexual organs mature
MenarcheMenarcheThe onset of menstruation
SpermarcheSpermarcheThe first spontaneous ejaculation of sperm-laden fluid, usually around age 13
Primary Sex CharacteristicsPrimary Sex CharacteristicsCharacteristics associated with the development of the sex & reproductive organs
Secondary Sex CharacteristicsSecondary Sex CharacteristicsThe visible signs of sexual maturity not involving the sex organs directly
Growth SpurtGrowth SpurtPeriod of Rapid GrowthBoys grow 4.1” per yearBoys grow 4.1” per year
Girls grow 3.5” per yearGirls grow 3.5” per year
Girls begin about age 11Girls begin about age 11
Boys begin about age 12Boys begin about age 12
PubertyPubertyPituitary GlandPituitary GlandPuberty begins when the pituitary gland signals other glands to release hormones
Androgens (male hormones)
Estrogens (female hormones)
Puberty in Puberty in GirlsGirls
Environmental & Cultural FactorsMenarche signals the onset of puberty
Better nourished girls begin earlier
Stress is a factor
Primary & Secondary Sexual CharacteristicsChanges occur in the vagina & uterus
Breasts develop & pubic hair grows
Puberty in Puberty in BoysBoys
Primary & Secondary Sexual CharacteristicsPenis & scrotum growth, prostate gland & seminal vesicles enlarge along with the induction of spermarche
Pubic, underarm, & facial hair begin growing
The larynx enlarges & the voice deepens
Psychological Reactions
Body ImageEmbarrassment about the growth & changes
Early/Late MaturationEarly maturation brings weightBoys more popular esp. with adult males & tend to have more problems in schoolGirls early maturation leads to uncomfortable feelings, less self-esteemLate maturing girls have lower status for dates, etc. early onBy 10th grade, have better self-feelings & about bodies
NutritionNutritionObesityObesity1 in 5 adolescents is overweight1 in 5 adolescents is overweight
1 in 20 is obese (more than 20% 1 in 20 is obese (more than 20% over the average weight)over the average weight)
The 2 reasons are lack of exercise The 2 reasons are lack of exercise and poor dietand poor diet
NutritionNutritionAnorexiaSevere eating disorder in which an individual refuses to eat
15% - 20% starve to death
Boys (10%) are becoming anorexic
BulimiaBingeing & Purging
Although the weight remains fairly normal, vomiting & diarrhea produces physical problems
Psychological & social factors involved
Brain Brain DevelopmentDevelopment
Growth of NeuronsGrowth brings more complexity to interconnections & more sophisticated thinking
Neuronal Pruning1% - 2% per year with continued myelination
Areas of DevelopmentPrefrontal cortex is fully developed in early 20s
Dopamine-producing & reacting areas become more developed
More sensitivity to stress, less susceptible to alcohol
StressOrigins of StressHome, school, relationships, peers, intrapersonal, etc.Number of stressful events can produce major illnessesCan lead to psychosomatic disorders
Psychological, Psychological, emotional, emotional, & physical & physical interactioninteraction
Ulcers, asthma, Ulcers, asthma, arthritis, arthritis, hypertensionhypertension
Outcomes of StressBiological reaction
Release of Release of hormones from hormones from the the adrenal glandsadrenal glands
Rise in heart rate, Rise in heart rate, blood blood pressure, pressure, respiration, & respiration, & sweatingsweatingLong-term outcome
Reduction in the Reduction in the body’s body’s ability to ability to deal with stress deal with stress and and fight off diseasefight off disease
CopingCopingProblem-focused CopingAttempting to manage stress by directly changing the situation to make it less stressful
Emotion-focused CopingConscious regulation of emotion
Social SupportAssistance & comfort supplied by others
Defensive CopingUnconscious use of strategies that distort or deny the true nature of a situation
Threats to Threats to Well-beingWell-being
Illegal Drugs50% of U.S. high school seniors & 20% of 8th graders used marijuana in the past yearReasons for use
Pleasurable Pleasurable experiencesexperiences
Everyday pressuresEveryday pressures
Peer pressuresPeer pressures
Thrill of doing Thrill of doing something something illegalillegal
Addictive DrugsDrugs producing a biological or psychological dependence leading to cravingsPhysiological dependencePsychological dependence
Legal DrugsLegal DrugsAlcoholAlcoholBinge drinking a “tradition” on college Binge drinking a “tradition” on college campusescampusesReasons adolescents start drinkingReasons adolescents start drinking
Release inhibitionsReduce tensions & stress
Family patterns & genetics play a roleFamily patterns & genetics play a role
TobaccoTobaccoNicotine is 4 ½ X more addicting than heroinNicotine is 4 ½ X more addicting than heroinProduces psychological & physiological Produces psychological & physiological addictionaddictionProduces a quick dependencyProduces a quick dependencyProduces pleasant emotional stateProduces pleasant emotional stateSeeing parents & peers smoking increases Seeing parents & peers smoking increases chances of startingchances of starting
Sexually Transmitted Sexually Transmitted DiseasesDiseases
AIDSA leading cause of death among young peopleTransmitted through body fluids
Other STDs1 in 4 adolescents will contract an STD before graduating high schoolChlamydia
A bacterial diseaseGenital herpes
Virus-like cold sores or blistersTrichomoniasis
Caused by a parasiteGonorrhea & syphilis
Oldest known