1. Adolescence: Physical & Cognitive Development

2. Definition of Adolescence
Adolescence is defined as the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence

3. Definition of Adolescence
Adolescence is defined as the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence
Adolescence is a term coined by G. Stanley Hall in 1904 when child labor-laws and compulsory education delayed the social onset of adulthood.

4. Prenatal sexual development
45 of 46 chromosomes are unisex
Father’s contribution to 23rd pair determine sex
X = female Y = male
Seven weeks after conception a gene in the Y chromosome triggers testes development
During 4th & 5th month, hormones bathe the fetal brain influencing its wiring

5. Sexual Development
Adolescence begins with puberty, when we mature sexually.
Primary sex characteristics develop (the body’s reproductive structures, like ovaries, testes and external genitalia)
Secondary sex characteristics develop (non- reproductive sexual traits like female breasts, male voice quality, body hair)
The sequence of puberty is more predictable than the timeline.

7. Physical Development Mixed effect for boys
Stronger, more athletic tend to be more popular, self-assured & independent
More at risk for alcohol use, delinquency, premature sexual activity

8. Physical Development Mixed effect for girls
If body development and hormone-fed feelings are out of sync with emotional maturity & friends development, she may associate with older teens, suffer teasing or experience sexual harassment

9. Physical Development Brain development
Brain cells increase connections until adolescence when pruning begins – use it or lose it
Frontal lobes continue to develop
Judgment
Impulse control
Long-term planning

10. Limbic system (hormones) & brain development out of sync
Physical Development
Limbic system (hormones) & brain development out of sync
Occasional impulsiveness (emotional reasoning)
Risky behaviors (consequences?)
Emotional storms
Dad: Why did you do that?
Son: I don’t know.

11. Cognitive Development
Self-focused, thinking private experiences unique
Capable of abstract thinking, begin wondering what others are thinking about them.
Imaginary audience phenomenon – believing others are always paying attention them, especially their flaws.

12. Developing Reasoning Power
Apply abstract thinking
Compare ideal possibilities and imperfect realities of society, parents, self, etc.
Debate good/evil, truth/justice
Deeper concepts of meaning of life, God, existence, etc.

13. Developing Reasoning Power
Apply abstract thinking
Brainstorm with a friend one of the abstract thinking issues you think about.
Be prepared to share your topic.

14. Question: What does it mean to be “moral?”
Developing Morality
Question: What does it mean to be “moral?”

15. Developing Morality Two crucial tasks of childhood & adolescence
Discerning right from wrong
Controlling impulses
Lawrence Kohlberg developed levels of moral thinking by poising moral dilemmas
“Should a person steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?”
video

16. Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Thinking
Preconventional
Consequences
determine morality
Reward = good
Punishment = bad
Conventional
Conforming to
society’s norms
Rules/laws
Postconventional
Morality decided
upon by individual
May conflict with rules and/or accepted norms
Most common type of morality in society

17. “Should a person steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?”
Classroom Exercise
“Should a person steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?”

18. Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Thinking
“Should a person steal medicine to save a loved one’s life?”
Level
(approximate age)
Focus
Example
Preconventional Morality
(before age 9)
Self-interest: obey rules to avoid punishment or gain concrete rewards
“If you save your wife, you’ll be a hero.”
Conventional Morality
(early adolescence)
Uphold laws and rules to gain social approval or maintain social order
“If you steal the drug, everyone will think you’re a criminal.”
Postconventional Morality
(adolescence and beyond)
Actions reflect belief in basic rights and self-defined ethical behavior
“People have a right to live”

20. Exit Ticket
How do you think your moral development will change over the next 10 years?