Adolescent development
Chapter 0 – What is the study of adolescent development?
Adolescence: period consisting of biological, psychological, social and economic transitions
- Formal definition: adolescence is stage of development that begins with puberty and ends
when individuals make the transition into adult roles
Definitions based on boundaries we choose to use
Adolescence is serie of phases, transitions and stages psychological and social growth inbetween
- Early adolescence: ages 10 – 13
- Middle adolescence: ages 14- 17
- Late adolescence: ages 18 – 21
- Emerging adulthood: ages 18 – 25
Model of John Hill: framework for studying adolescence and had 3 basis components
1. Fundamental changes of adolescence: 3 sets of changes that are universal and fundamental
Onset of puberty (biological)
Emergence of more advanced thinking abilities (cognitive)
Transition into new roles in society (social)
2. Contexts of adolescence: perspective on development that emphasizes ab roader contexr in
which development occurs 4 main contexts: families, peer groups, schools, work/leisure
settings
Psychological impact of changes in adolescence shaped by environment in which
changes take place
Ecological perspective on human development
3. Psychosocial developments of adolescence:
Psychosocial aspect: aspect of development that are both psychological and social in
nature 4 major developments: identity, autonomy, intimacy, sexuality and
achievement
Chapter 1 – What are the biological transitions?
Fundamental biological changes during adolescence huge impact on psychological and social
development
What is puberty?
Puberty: period during which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction 3 main
physical manifestations
1. Quick acceleration in growth
2. Development of primary sex characteristics
3. Development of secondary sex characteristics
Changes are results of development in endocrine and central nervous systems
Endocrine system produces, circulates and regulates levels of hormones important terms:
- Hormones: highly specialized substances that are secreted by one or more endocrine glands
and enter bloodstream
- Glands: organs that stimulate certain parts of body to respond in specific ways
, - Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRh) neurons: specialized neurons that are activated by
certain pubertal hormones
Endocrine system receives instructions increase or decrease circulating levels of certain
hormones from central nervous system by firing GnHr neurons in the brain
- Hormonal levels have set point depends on stage of development
- Hormone level dips below set point secretion of hormone increases: level reaches set
point and secretion temporarily stops
Feedback loop: cycle through 2 or more bodily functions respond to and regulate each
other
HPG axis (feedback loop): neuropsysiological pathway that involves hypothalamus, pituitary gland
and gonads
- Gonads: glands that secrete sex hormones HPG maintanes levels
Testes in males androgens
Ovaries in females estrogens
Adrenarche: maturation of adrenal glands that takes place during adolescence
- Changes at puberty that regulates adrenal gland it’s how the brain controls how we
responds to stress
Onset of puberty: stimulated by increase in kisspeptin (brain chemical)
- Leptin stimulates kisspeptin
- Melatonin surpresses kisspeptin
What is the somatic development?
Remarkable consequences of hormonal changes of puberty on the body
- Growth spurt: dramatic increase in height and weight during puberty
- Peak height velocity: time which adolescent is growing most rapidly
- Epiphysis: conclusion of puberty, closing of ends of the long bones which terminates growth
in height
Growth spurt is in height and weight because of an increase of fat and muscle sex differences
- Muscle tissues grows faster in boys
- Body fat increases more for girls
Differences in strength and athletic ability appear during adolescence
Development of secondary sex characteristics: manifestations of sexual maturity ate puberty
5 stages which are called the Tanner stages
- Boys are fertile before the adult-like appearance
- Girls appear physically mature before they are fertile
Menarche: beginning of menstruation full reproduction years after this
Variations in age at which puberty begins an maturation occurs are great no relation between
age at which puberty begins and rate at which pubertal development proceeds
Identical twins and individuals who are not genetically identical timing and tempo is largely
inherited
Chapter 0 – What is the study of adolescent development?
Adolescence: period consisting of biological, psychological, social and economic transitions
- Formal definition: adolescence is stage of development that begins with puberty and ends
when individuals make the transition into adult roles
Definitions based on boundaries we choose to use
Adolescence is serie of phases, transitions and stages psychological and social growth inbetween
- Early adolescence: ages 10 – 13
- Middle adolescence: ages 14- 17
- Late adolescence: ages 18 – 21
- Emerging adulthood: ages 18 – 25
Model of John Hill: framework for studying adolescence and had 3 basis components
1. Fundamental changes of adolescence: 3 sets of changes that are universal and fundamental
Onset of puberty (biological)
Emergence of more advanced thinking abilities (cognitive)
Transition into new roles in society (social)
2. Contexts of adolescence: perspective on development that emphasizes ab roader contexr in
which development occurs 4 main contexts: families, peer groups, schools, work/leisure
settings
Psychological impact of changes in adolescence shaped by environment in which
changes take place
Ecological perspective on human development
3. Psychosocial developments of adolescence:
Psychosocial aspect: aspect of development that are both psychological and social in
nature 4 major developments: identity, autonomy, intimacy, sexuality and
achievement
Chapter 1 – What are the biological transitions?
Fundamental biological changes during adolescence huge impact on psychological and social
development
What is puberty?
Puberty: period during which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction 3 main
physical manifestations
1. Quick acceleration in growth
2. Development of primary sex characteristics
3. Development of secondary sex characteristics
Changes are results of development in endocrine and central nervous systems
Endocrine system produces, circulates and regulates levels of hormones important terms:
- Hormones: highly specialized substances that are secreted by one or more endocrine glands
and enter bloodstream
- Glands: organs that stimulate certain parts of body to respond in specific ways
, - Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRh) neurons: specialized neurons that are activated by
certain pubertal hormones
Endocrine system receives instructions increase or decrease circulating levels of certain
hormones from central nervous system by firing GnHr neurons in the brain
- Hormonal levels have set point depends on stage of development
- Hormone level dips below set point secretion of hormone increases: level reaches set
point and secretion temporarily stops
Feedback loop: cycle through 2 or more bodily functions respond to and regulate each
other
HPG axis (feedback loop): neuropsysiological pathway that involves hypothalamus, pituitary gland
and gonads
- Gonads: glands that secrete sex hormones HPG maintanes levels
Testes in males androgens
Ovaries in females estrogens
Adrenarche: maturation of adrenal glands that takes place during adolescence
- Changes at puberty that regulates adrenal gland it’s how the brain controls how we
responds to stress
Onset of puberty: stimulated by increase in kisspeptin (brain chemical)
- Leptin stimulates kisspeptin
- Melatonin surpresses kisspeptin
What is the somatic development?
Remarkable consequences of hormonal changes of puberty on the body
- Growth spurt: dramatic increase in height and weight during puberty
- Peak height velocity: time which adolescent is growing most rapidly
- Epiphysis: conclusion of puberty, closing of ends of the long bones which terminates growth
in height
Growth spurt is in height and weight because of an increase of fat and muscle sex differences
- Muscle tissues grows faster in boys
- Body fat increases more for girls
Differences in strength and athletic ability appear during adolescence
Development of secondary sex characteristics: manifestations of sexual maturity ate puberty
5 stages which are called the Tanner stages
- Boys are fertile before the adult-like appearance
- Girls appear physically mature before they are fertile
Menarche: beginning of menstruation full reproduction years after this
Variations in age at which puberty begins an maturation occurs are great no relation between
age at which puberty begins and rate at which pubertal development proceeds
Identical twins and individuals who are not genetically identical timing and tempo is largely
inherited
