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