Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Psych 250 Exam 3
Physical Development in Adolescence
18
Psychology
Not Applicable
03/16/2008

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
puberty
Definition

set of biological processes that change the immatuer child into a sexually mature person

 

part of a gradual process

 

girls = 10.5 - 15

boys = 11.5 - 17

Term
Secular Trend
Definition

decline in age for achieving puberty in developing countries

 

primarily due to better health/nutrition

Term
what triggers puberty?
Definition

1) Adrenal gland - starts 6-8, peaks in 20s

androgens cause growth of hair, skin changes, and sexual desires

 

2) HPG Axis - 9-10 yrs

hypothalamus triggers pituitary to secrete hormones which triggers the gonads to begin secreting hormones (testosterone and estrogen)

Term
factors that contribute to puberty onset
Definition

1) genetics: same age as parents

2) weight: higher BMI = earlier

3) Nutrition: high calorie diets = earlier

4) stress: adaptive to mature earlier

5) climate/environment

 

Term
effects of puberty
Definition

youth progress through events at different rates but all generally follow the same sequence

 

physical changes:

1) body growth

2) sexual maturation

Term
body growth
Definition

growth spurt: increase in size, weight, strength

 

uneven growth: asynchrony, hands, feet, and legs first (gawky)

 

increase in appetite

 

increase in size and activity of oil-producing glands

 

muscle-fat ratio changes: girls more than boys

 

girls start growth earlier, boys continue for longer

Term
primary sexual characteristics
Definition

physical changes that directly involve the organs of reproduction

 

 

Term
secondary sexual characteristics
Definition

changes not directly involved in reproduction

 

external, involved in distinguishing male and female

 

(hair, voice changes, skin, adam's apple, breasts)

Term
general sexual changes
Definition

boys get more androgens (testosterone) for muscle growth and body size

 

girls get more estrogen for breast and uterus maturation, fat accumulation, and to regulate menstruation

Term
menarche
Definition

girl's first menstruation

 

typically around age 12.5

 

based on genetics and fat

Term
spermarche
Definition
boy's first ejaculation
Term
body image
Definition

adolescents more aware of changing body

 

media shows physical strength for boys and thinness for girls

 

inrease risk of eating disorders

Term
dating
Definition

girls at 13-14 yrs

 

boys at 14-15 yrs

Term
early sexual experiences
Definition

majority become sexually active between ages 15-19 years

 

adolescents have highest STD rate

 

20% of sexually active teen girls become pregnant each year

Term
factors that lead to sex
Definition

having an older boyfriend increases the chance for girls

 

peer pressure has a strong influence on timing and frequency of sexual activity

Term
balance between subcortical structures and the frontal lobe in adolescence
Definition

early development of subcortical structures:

1) amygdala - emotions

2) striatum - seeking out "rewards," thrill-seeking behavior

 

slow development of frontal lobe:

involved in controlling behavior

Term
increased size of frontal lobe gray matter at puberty then decreases
Definition

suggests overproduction of synapses then pruning

 

"use it or lose it"

Term
sleep
Definition

debt due to:

-early school start time

-biological clock shifts forward, teens stay up later and wake up later

 

reduced REM sleep leads to impaired learning

Supporting users have an ad free experience!