,PSYC140/PSYC 140 Module Exam 6 | Developmental
(Lifespan) Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026
Edition (PDF)
1. What is the average age of the pubertal growth spurt onset for girls in North America?
A) 8 years old
B) 10 years old
C) 12 years old
D) 14 years old
Correct Answer: 10 years old
Rationale: In North America, the pubertal growth spurt for girls typically begins around age 10. Boys
typically begin their growth spurt later, around age 12.5. The other options represent ages that are
either too early or too late for the average onset of the female growth spurt.
2. By what age do most girls in North America finish growing?
A) Approximately 14 years old
B) Approximately 15 years old
C) Approximately 16 years old
D) Approximately 18 years old
Correct Answer: Approximately 16 years old
Rationale: Most girls in North America complete their physical growth by approximately age 16. While
some may continue to grow slightly beyond this age, 16 is the typical age at which the growth spurt
concludes. The other options do not reflect the standard developmental timeline for female growth
completion.
3. Which hormone does the hypothalamus release to trigger the onset of puberty?
A) Estrogen
,B) Testosterone
C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Correct Answer: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Rationale: The hypothalamus initiates puberty by releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH),
which signals the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH). Estrogen and testosterone are sex hormones produced later in the pubertal cascade, not the
initial trigger.
4. Which sex hormones does LH trigger the production of?
A) Estrogens and androgens
B) Adrenalin and cortisone
C) Insulin and oxytocin
D) Vasopressin and thyroxine
Correct Answer: Estrogens and androgens
Rationale: Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the production of estrogens and androgens, the primary sex
hormones responsible for pubertal changes. Adrenalin, cortisone, insulin, oxytocin, vasopressin, and
thyroxine are hormones with different functions unrelated to LH's primary role in puberty.
5. Which adolescent group tends to experience more positive social outcomes as a result of their
maturation?
A) Early-maturing boys
B) Late-maturing boys
C) Early-maturing girls
D) Late-maturing girls
Correct Answer: Early-maturing boys
, Rationale: Early-maturing adolescent boys tend to experience more positive social outcomes compared
to late-maturing boys. They are often viewed as more attractive and socially competent, and they tend
to have higher self-esteem. In contrast, early-maturing girls often face more social challenges.
6. Which adolescent group tends to experience healthier social outcomes as a result of their
maturation?
A) Early-maturing girls
B) Late-maturing girls
C) Early-maturing boys
D) Late-maturing boys
Correct Answer: Late-maturing girls
Rationale: Late-maturing adolescent girls tend to experience healthier social outcomes compared to
early-maturing girls. Early-maturing girls face risks such as attention from older boys, pressure for early
sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor body image.
7. What problems are early-maturing girls at risk for?
A) Early sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor body image
B) Delayed puberty and social isolation
C) Academic decline and substance abuse
D) Heightened self-esteem and leadership roles
Correct Answer: Early sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor body image
Rationale: Early-maturing girls face increased risks for early sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor
body image. These risks stem from attention from older boys and dissatisfaction with their changing
bodies. The other options do not accurately reflect the documented risks for early-maturing girls.
8. Why are early-maturing girls at risk for these problems?
(Lifespan) Psychology | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026
Edition (PDF)
1. What is the average age of the pubertal growth spurt onset for girls in North America?
A) 8 years old
B) 10 years old
C) 12 years old
D) 14 years old
Correct Answer: 10 years old
Rationale: In North America, the pubertal growth spurt for girls typically begins around age 10. Boys
typically begin their growth spurt later, around age 12.5. The other options represent ages that are
either too early or too late for the average onset of the female growth spurt.
2. By what age do most girls in North America finish growing?
A) Approximately 14 years old
B) Approximately 15 years old
C) Approximately 16 years old
D) Approximately 18 years old
Correct Answer: Approximately 16 years old
Rationale: Most girls in North America complete their physical growth by approximately age 16. While
some may continue to grow slightly beyond this age, 16 is the typical age at which the growth spurt
concludes. The other options do not reflect the standard developmental timeline for female growth
completion.
3. Which hormone does the hypothalamus release to trigger the onset of puberty?
A) Estrogen
,B) Testosterone
C) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Correct Answer: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Rationale: The hypothalamus initiates puberty by releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH),
which signals the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH). Estrogen and testosterone are sex hormones produced later in the pubertal cascade, not the
initial trigger.
4. Which sex hormones does LH trigger the production of?
A) Estrogens and androgens
B) Adrenalin and cortisone
C) Insulin and oxytocin
D) Vasopressin and thyroxine
Correct Answer: Estrogens and androgens
Rationale: Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the production of estrogens and androgens, the primary sex
hormones responsible for pubertal changes. Adrenalin, cortisone, insulin, oxytocin, vasopressin, and
thyroxine are hormones with different functions unrelated to LH's primary role in puberty.
5. Which adolescent group tends to experience more positive social outcomes as a result of their
maturation?
A) Early-maturing boys
B) Late-maturing boys
C) Early-maturing girls
D) Late-maturing girls
Correct Answer: Early-maturing boys
, Rationale: Early-maturing adolescent boys tend to experience more positive social outcomes compared
to late-maturing boys. They are often viewed as more attractive and socially competent, and they tend
to have higher self-esteem. In contrast, early-maturing girls often face more social challenges.
6. Which adolescent group tends to experience healthier social outcomes as a result of their
maturation?
A) Early-maturing girls
B) Late-maturing girls
C) Early-maturing boys
D) Late-maturing boys
Correct Answer: Late-maturing girls
Rationale: Late-maturing adolescent girls tend to experience healthier social outcomes compared to
early-maturing girls. Early-maturing girls face risks such as attention from older boys, pressure for early
sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor body image.
7. What problems are early-maturing girls at risk for?
A) Early sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor body image
B) Delayed puberty and social isolation
C) Academic decline and substance abuse
D) Heightened self-esteem and leadership roles
Correct Answer: Early sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor body image
Rationale: Early-maturing girls face increased risks for early sexual activity, eating disorders, and poor
body image. These risks stem from attention from older boys and dissatisfaction with their changing
bodies. The other options do not accurately reflect the documented risks for early-maturing girls.
8. Why are early-maturing girls at risk for these problems?
