Module 6 (psyc 140)
Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence
When does adolescence begin?
onset of puberty
When does it end?
a little more difficult to define since adolescence ends when an adult role is
assumed. In many societies today, assuming a full adult role is frequently
pushed back, usually so that educational and personal pursuits can first be
obtained.
(true or false) The idea of a transition period between childhood and adulthood
did not always exist.
true
Historically, children, after perhaps completing a rite of passage, were
considered adults.
However, the period of adolescence is now widely accepted, at least in most
post-industrial cultures.
The onset of adolescence is marked by what?
puberty
A. Puberty
When does the pubertal growth spurt usually begin in early adolescence?
In North America,
the average age for growth spurt =
around age 10 for girls age 12 ½ for boys.
,Girls typically finish growing by age 16
boys may continue to grow until nearly age 18.
-adolescents typically add nearly 50 percent of their adult body weight.
-muscle mass also increases at this time for both boys and girls.
-increase in muscle mass is much more notable in boys, while the female
pubertal growth spurt results in girls adding fat to their arms, legs, and trunk
area.
What triggers a domino effect to occur during puberty?
various hormones being released; these trigger the development of secondary
sex characteristics.
What is considered the key regulatory center in the brain that monitors body
heat, water, nutrient levels, and regulates glands and hormones/ sexual
behavior?
The hypothalamus
summary of the domino effect
The hypothalamus slowly produces GnRH, or gonadatropin-releasing
hormone, beginning in middle childhood
Production really ramps up after middle childhood and is thought to be
associated with the protein leptin, which is stored in fat cells
pre-pubertal growth spurts result in pre-teens achieving a certain threshold of
body fat (approximately 19 percent of total body composition).
Leptin levels subsequently increase, and this triggers the hypothalamus to
start greater GnRH production
GNRH is then sent to the pituitary gland in the brain.
, GnRH reaches the pituitary gland, it stimulates the gland to produce
hormones called gonadotropins, which include follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
sex hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sexual
characteristics, such as breast development, pubic hair growth, testicular
growth, etc.
FSH
stimulates maturation of ovarian follicles as well as aids sperm production
LH
triggers production of sex hormones, androgens and estrogens, into the
bloodstream.
under-weight individuals do
not achieving puberty
overweight individuals are
more likely to start puberty early.
At this point and afterward, males have _______ androgens, and females
have _______ estrogens.
more
more
(True / False) Adolescents vary regarding the age at which the first visible
signs of puberty occur.
True
what are the first visible signs of secondary sexual characteristics that usually
occur around the time of the pubertal growth spurt?
Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence
When does adolescence begin?
onset of puberty
When does it end?
a little more difficult to define since adolescence ends when an adult role is
assumed. In many societies today, assuming a full adult role is frequently
pushed back, usually so that educational and personal pursuits can first be
obtained.
(true or false) The idea of a transition period between childhood and adulthood
did not always exist.
true
Historically, children, after perhaps completing a rite of passage, were
considered adults.
However, the period of adolescence is now widely accepted, at least in most
post-industrial cultures.
The onset of adolescence is marked by what?
puberty
A. Puberty
When does the pubertal growth spurt usually begin in early adolescence?
In North America,
the average age for growth spurt =
around age 10 for girls age 12 ½ for boys.
,Girls typically finish growing by age 16
boys may continue to grow until nearly age 18.
-adolescents typically add nearly 50 percent of their adult body weight.
-muscle mass also increases at this time for both boys and girls.
-increase in muscle mass is much more notable in boys, while the female
pubertal growth spurt results in girls adding fat to their arms, legs, and trunk
area.
What triggers a domino effect to occur during puberty?
various hormones being released; these trigger the development of secondary
sex characteristics.
What is considered the key regulatory center in the brain that monitors body
heat, water, nutrient levels, and regulates glands and hormones/ sexual
behavior?
The hypothalamus
summary of the domino effect
The hypothalamus slowly produces GnRH, or gonadatropin-releasing
hormone, beginning in middle childhood
Production really ramps up after middle childhood and is thought to be
associated with the protein leptin, which is stored in fat cells
pre-pubertal growth spurts result in pre-teens achieving a certain threshold of
body fat (approximately 19 percent of total body composition).
Leptin levels subsequently increase, and this triggers the hypothalamus to
start greater GnRH production
GNRH is then sent to the pituitary gland in the brain.
, GnRH reaches the pituitary gland, it stimulates the gland to produce
hormones called gonadotropins, which include follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
sex hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sexual
characteristics, such as breast development, pubic hair growth, testicular
growth, etc.
FSH
stimulates maturation of ovarian follicles as well as aids sperm production
LH
triggers production of sex hormones, androgens and estrogens, into the
bloodstream.
under-weight individuals do
not achieving puberty
overweight individuals are
more likely to start puberty early.
At this point and afterward, males have _______ androgens, and females
have _______ estrogens.
more
more
(True / False) Adolescents vary regarding the age at which the first visible
signs of puberty occur.
True
what are the first visible signs of secondary sexual characteristics that usually
occur around the time of the pubertal growth spurt?
