1. Adolescence

2. definition of puberty Pubertas – Latin word for “adult”
Narrow definition: The process by which an individual becomes capable of reproduction.
The activation of the HPG/HPA axis
Broad definition: The physical, psychological, and cultural changes that occur as the growing child transitions into adulthood.

3. time periods of adolescent
Adolescence is a unique developmental period
it keeps changing!
Early adolescence – 11 to 13 years old
Continues to be pushed earlier (9-10…)
Middle adolescence – 14 to 17 years old
Late adolescence (early adulthood) – 18 to 20 years old
Continues to be pushed later (21-24…)

4. physical changes… Primary sex characteristics
The body organs and reproductive structures and functions that differ between women and men.
Gonads (testes and ovaries)
Secondary sex characteristics
Characteristics of the body that are caused by hormones, develop during puberty, and last through adult life.
Changes in genitals/breasts/voice
Pubic/body/facial hair

5. changes… Rapid acceleration of physical growth
Adolescent growth spurt
3.5 (girls) to 4.0 (boys) inches/year
½ adult weight gained during adolescence
Changes in body composition
3:1 muscle to body fat ratio for boys
5:4 for girls
Emergence of sex differences in physical performance
Changes in circulatory and respiratory systems
Increase in size/capacity of heart and lungs

6. two roles of hormones Organizational role (life-long):
Modification of the organism early in life
primarily influencing its anatomy
Organization/structure of CNS
“Feminine” vs. “masculan-ized” brain and body
Activational role (specific to puberty):
Structural “remodeling” of brain
Increase in salience of sexual stimuli, sexual motivation
Development of secondary sex characteristics

7. impacts of puberty Sleep patterns Family relations Peer relations
Delayed phase preference
9 hours: 1 am to 10 am
Family relations
Transformation of parent-child bond
Peer relations
Transformation of friendships, romantic relationships

8. impacts of puberty Self-esteem Moods Changing body image
Changing sense of self
Moods
Increased stress + Increased sensitivity
Fluctuation of moods
Due to hormones or environment?
“Storm and stress”: myth or fact?

9. timing - individual factors
Genetic factors
Timing and tempo
Environmental factors
Nutrition
Body weight
Exposure to hormones/chemicals
Family conflict
Stepparents

10. timing - group factors Comparisons Across socioeconomic groups
Impact of poverty
Dietary intake, health care, exposure to disease
Across countries
Impact of industrialization
Across time periods
Secular trend

11. early maturation Boys Girls Early maturation positives
Popularity, higher self-esteem
Early maturation negatives
Deviant, risk behaviors; more rigidity later
Girls
Popularity (cultural dependence)
Lower self-esteem, eating disorders, emotions, deviant behaviors

12. late maturation Boys Girls Late maturation positives
Higher levels of creativity, inventiveness
Late maturation negatives
Low self-esteem, low social competence
Girls
Thinner build
Social withdrawal

13. identity development Adolescence  Erickson stage of identity crisis
Sense of individual self
Selection of commitments, beliefs, values
Interpersonal process
Taking their place in the adult community

14. cognitive changes Importance of conceptual structure of thinking
Propositional logic: thinking constrained by logical relations
Emphasis on rationality and scientific methodology
Importance of conceptual resources employed in thinking
Five process: Attention, working memory, processing speed, organization, meta-cognition

15. cognitive changes Piaget’s – Formal Operational Thought
Logical, abstract thinking
Thinking about possibilities
“If-then” thinking
Connection between how things are and how they might have been or could be.
Thinking about thinking
Understanding knowledge (how/when gained)
Monitoring one’s own mental states

16. relativism Not everything is “black and white”
Recognition of importance of perspective
Death of childish “realism/absolutism”
Can result in extreme skepticism
Rejection of authority
Rejection of cultural/social norms
Everything is “ok” – no right/wrong
Tolerance for different beliefs
Though less tolerance for actual interaction/helping

17. adolescent egocentrism
Increased introspection, self-consciousness, rationalization
Responsible for adolescent version of egocentrism.
Imaginary audience
Personal fable
Importance of personal individuality

18. Identity and stereotypes
Identities commonly incorporate/activate stereotypes
Common characteristics associated with
Being female
Being Native American
Being a plumber
Being a liberal
Some characteristics positive, others negative.
Stereotype activation makes these characteristics salient.
This can have incredibly powerful effects on behavior.