Chapter Fourteen and Fifteen

Adolescence and Puberty Adolescence is the developmental stage of life that occurs between the ages of Puberty marks the beginning of adolescence and the rapid physical growth and sexual maturity at the end of childhood. It can occur between the ages of 8-14.

Puberty Development For girls, puberty development typically occurs in this sequence 1) breast development 2) growth spurt and the 3) menarche. For boys, puberty development usually occurs in this sequence 1) growth of penis 2) spermarche and 3) height growth. A growth spurt typically occurs as 1)weight 2) height and 3) muscle.

Puberty Puberty begins with a marked increase in hormones, which are chemicals in the bloodstream. Hormones are chemical substances that are produced in glands and help regulate many of the body’s functions. The male hormone is testosterone while the female hormone is estrogen. Primary and Secondary Sex characteristics contribute to sexual maturation. Primary sex characteristics refers to organs involved in conception and pregnancy while Secondary sex characteristics do not directly affect fertility, they are more important psychologically than biologically.

The Biological Process of Puberty Biochemical Signals Pituitary Adrenal signals Gland Glands from to produce more Hypothalamus release hormones hormones *** Biorhythms are affected by puberty. Biorhythms are biological processes or functions.

Influences in the Age of Puberty Genes Body fat and hormones Malnutrition Stress

Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory The fourth and final stage of Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory is Formal Operational Intelligence. This stage occurs between the ages of Adolescents have the ability to think logically and systematically about abstract ideas.

Characteristics of Formal Operational Intelligence Egocentrism – adolescents focus only on themselves. Personal Fable – adolescents believe that they are unique and destined to have a fairy tale life. Invincibility Fable – adolescents engage in risky behaviors because they have the belief they cannot be harmed. Imaginary Audience – adolescents believe that people are watching or looking at their appearance, ideas, or behavior.

Characteristics of Formal Operational Intelligence Hypothetical Thought – Adolescent reasoning includes propositions and possibilities that may not reflect reality. Deductive and Inductive Reasoning – Deductive reasoning “works from the more general to the more specific” while Inductive reasoning “focuses on specific observations to broader generalizations and theories.

Characteristics of Formal Operational Intelligence Dual-Process Thinking or Model – Adolescents brains have two networks in the brain working. The limbic system is growing faster than the Prefrontal Cortex. This causes an imbalance of emotion and logic. Intuitive vs. Analytic thought Implicit vs. Explicit thought Creative vs. Factual thought Emotional vs. Intellectual thought

Adolescence: Psychosocial Development

Psychoanalytic Theories in Development Freud’s Psychosexual Theory Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory Stage Five: Genital Ages: Adolescent through Adulthood Pleasure: Sex Genitals are the focus of pleasure and the young person seeks sexual stimulation and satisfaction in a heterosexual relationship. Freud believed the goal to a healthy life was to “love and work”. Stage Five: “Identity vs. Role Confusion Ages: Psychosocial Conflict: The goal of adolescence is to find one’s identity. Identity is the unique qualities of an individual in roles, attitudes, beliefs, and aspirations. Individuals who fail to find their identity will become confused of the purpose of their life.

Identity vs. Role Confusion Role Confusion (Diffusion) is the lack of commitment to any goals or values. Identity foreclosure occurs in premature identity formation, adolescents adopt parent’s or society’s roles or values without questioning or analysis.

Identity vs. Role Confusion Moratorium is when adolescents are still trying to find their identity and choose socially acceptable ways to postpone making identity achievement decisions. These roles are temporary and considered a “time out”.

Identity vs. Role Confusion Identity Achievement can be accomplished in four different areas of life (1) Religion (2) Gender (3) Political/Ethnic (4) Vocational ** Erikson believed that Identity was the most important goal in life and if we do not achieve identity during adolescence, we will attempt to search for it the rest of our lives. It is the ultimate psychosocial goal.