Definition: It is hard to define adolescence as it is evolving all the time through phycological,
psychological, temporal and cultural lenses. It is only understood between the years of
puberty and social independence. The ages are between 10-18, but others say 9 to 26. Lack
of a definition could down to several factors such as:
The appreciated continuity of human development
A recognition of individual, cultural, gender and racial variability
The ascribed relative salience development milestones
A perpetually refined science of human development in a dynamically evolving
society
Transition period between childhood and adulthood. Associated with biological changes (puberty).
Physical Development
Mostly recognized is pubertal metamorphosis, this is the visible transformation from child to
adult. Physical growth and sexual maturation are influenced by:
Gender
Race
Body mass
Environmental influences
Health status
The beginning of puberty is 11 years. Boys are between 9 and 13.5 years and girls between 7
and 13 years. Growth spurt for women is between 10 to 12 and males is 12 to 14.
Early puberty = higher proportion of body fat and increased exposure to natural and
artificial light.
Delayed puberty = for boys is defined as the absence of testicular enlargement by age 14,
and in girls the absence of breast development by age 13.
Menstruation = Girls
Ejaculation = Boys
Size changes in external genitalia
Internal reproductive organs become fully functional
Increase level of sex hormones
Psychological effects
Adjustment to bodily changes
Self-esteem and self-conscious
Bullying – many victims blame themselves. Increases vulnerability to future victimisation.
Likelihood of negative effect. Decreases likelihood of help-seeking. (Boulton, 2005, 2013).
Effects of adult life, believing they are that. Very hard to grow out of that period.
Adolescent Brain Development
Functional Magnetic resonance Imaging (fMRI) – has contributed significantly to new
understandings of adolescent brain development. Fueled by a surge of sex hormones,
unique plasticity through the strengthening of frequently used neuronal connections, the
pruning of unused connections and increased sensitivity to environmental influences. MRI
studies show that the adolescent brain is very unique and very different from child and adult
brains. Extensive brain maturation occurs in three neuronal systems:
The reward system
The relationship system
The regulatory system
psychological, temporal and cultural lenses. It is only understood between the years of
puberty and social independence. The ages are between 10-18, but others say 9 to 26. Lack
of a definition could down to several factors such as:
The appreciated continuity of human development
A recognition of individual, cultural, gender and racial variability
The ascribed relative salience development milestones
A perpetually refined science of human development in a dynamically evolving
society
Transition period between childhood and adulthood. Associated with biological changes (puberty).
Physical Development
Mostly recognized is pubertal metamorphosis, this is the visible transformation from child to
adult. Physical growth and sexual maturation are influenced by:
Gender
Race
Body mass
Environmental influences
Health status
The beginning of puberty is 11 years. Boys are between 9 and 13.5 years and girls between 7
and 13 years. Growth spurt for women is between 10 to 12 and males is 12 to 14.
Early puberty = higher proportion of body fat and increased exposure to natural and
artificial light.
Delayed puberty = for boys is defined as the absence of testicular enlargement by age 14,
and in girls the absence of breast development by age 13.
Menstruation = Girls
Ejaculation = Boys
Size changes in external genitalia
Internal reproductive organs become fully functional
Increase level of sex hormones
Psychological effects
Adjustment to bodily changes
Self-esteem and self-conscious
Bullying – many victims blame themselves. Increases vulnerability to future victimisation.
Likelihood of negative effect. Decreases likelihood of help-seeking. (Boulton, 2005, 2013).
Effects of adult life, believing they are that. Very hard to grow out of that period.
Adolescent Brain Development
Functional Magnetic resonance Imaging (fMRI) – has contributed significantly to new
understandings of adolescent brain development. Fueled by a surge of sex hormones,
unique plasticity through the strengthening of frequently used neuronal connections, the
pruning of unused connections and increased sensitivity to environmental influences. MRI
studies show that the adolescent brain is very unique and very different from child and adult
brains. Extensive brain maturation occurs in three neuronal systems:
The reward system
The relationship system
The regulatory system
