Adolescence PDF

ADOLESCENCE Prepared and Presented by: AUBREY-ANN L FLORENCIO  SOME THINGS TO TAKE NOTE OF: ØA developmental transition that involves physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes and takes varying forms in different social, cultural, and economic settings. Øwas no such concept in...

ADOLESCENCE Prepared and Presented by: AUBREY-ANN L FLORENCIO  SOME THINGS TO TAKE NOTE OF: ØA developmental transition that involves physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes and takes varying forms in different social, cultural, and economic settings. Øwas no such concept in preindustrial societies, there, children were considered adults when they matured physically. ØAdolescence offers opportunities for growth, not only in physical dimensions, but also in cognitive and social competence, autonomy, self- esteem, and intimacy  PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PUBERTY ØInclude rapid growth in height and weight, changes in body proportions and form, and form, and attainment of sexual maturity. ØResults from heightened production of sex related hormones and takes place in two stages: 1. Adrenarche-the maturing of the adrenal glands 2. Gonadarche-the maturing of the sex organs ØSometimes around age 7 or 8, the adrenal glands located above the kidneys, secreted gradually increasing levels of androgens, principally Dehydroepiandroterone (DHEA) ØDHEA plays a part in the growth of pubic, axillary (armpit) and facial hair. ØGirls with a higher percentage of body fat in early childhood and those who experience unusual weight gain between ages 5 and 9 tend to show earlier pubertal development.  TIMING, SIGNS AND SEQUENCE OF PUBERTY AND SEXUAL MATURITY Ø Primary sex characteristics- organs related to reproduction (ovaries, testes, penis, vagina) ØSecondary sex characteristics- Physiological signs of sexual maturation that do not involve the sex organs. ØBreast tissue and pubic hair in girls and enlargement of the testes in boys-first external signs of puberty. ØSome adolescent boys experience temporary breast enlargement, much to their distress and may last up to 18 months. ØPubic hair appears in different patterns in males and females ØThe adolescent growth spurt- girls between ages 91/2 and 14 1/2 (usually at about 10) and boys, between 10 ½ and 16 (usually at 12 or 13) ØBoth sex hormone androgens and estrogen contribute to the normal pubertal growth pattern.  TIMING, SIGNS AND SEQUENCE OF PUBERTY AND SEXUAL MATURITY Ø Girls , typically reach full height at age 15 and boys at age 17. The rate of muscular growth peaks at age 12 ½ for girls and 14 ½ for boys. ØBoys and girls grow differently, not only in rates of growth but also in shape. ØA girl’s pelvis widens to make childbearing easier, and layer of fat accumulate under her skin, giving her a more rounded appearance. ØMaturation of the reproductive organs brings the beginning of menstruation in girls and production of sperm in boys. ØFirst ejaculation, or spermache, occurs at average age of 13. Nocturnal emission, an involuntary ejaculation of semen. ØMenstruation in girls is the principal sign of sexual maturity. Menarche, the first menstruation occurs fairly late in the sequence; its normal timing can vary from age 10- 16 1/2.  ADOLESCENT BRAIN ØRisk taking appears to result from the interaction of two brain networks: Ø a socioemotional network that is sensitive to social and emotional stimuli, such as peer influence v The socioemotional network becomes more active in puberty ØA cognitive-control network- regulates responses to stimuli vCognitive-control network-matures gradually into early adulthood ØThese findings may help explain teenagers tendency toward emotional outburst ØEarly adolescent (ages 11 to 13) tended to use amygdala, involved in emotional and instinctual reactions ØOlder adolescent (ages 14 to 17) shows more adultlike patterns, using frontal lobe and thus permit more accurate, reasoned judgements  NUTRITION AND EATING DISORDER ØObesity- Overweight teenagers ØBody Image –descriptive and evaluative beliefs about one’s appearance qBecause of the normal increase in girl’s body fat during puberty, many girls become unhappy about their appearance, reflecting the cultural emphasis on female physical attributes qGirl’s dissatisfaction with their body increase during early mid adoloscence, whereas boys, becomes more muscular and more satisfied with their bodies. qAneroxia Nervosa qBulimia Nervosa  OTHER DISORDERS DURING ADOLESCECE q Substance abuse- usually alcohol or drugs qSubstance dependence- Addiction to a harmful substance  COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT ØFORMAL OPERATIONS STAGE- characterized by the ability to think abstractly. qHypothetical-deductive reasoning stage of formal operations to develop and test hypothesis  CHANGES IN INFORMATION PROCESSING ØChanges in the way adolescents process information reflect the maturation of the brain’s frontal lobes and may help explain the cognitive advances. 1. STRUCTURAL CHANGES- Changes in working memory capacity. There’s increasing amount of knowledge stored in long term memory a. Declarative Knowledge-factual knowledge b. Procedural knowledge-acquired skills c. Conceptual knowledge- acquired interpretive understandings 2. Functional change a. Processes for obtaining, handling, and retaining information b. Among these are learning, remembering and reasoning, all of which improve during adolescence  PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MARCIA: IDENTITY STATUS-CRISIS AND COMMITMENT ØIdentity statuses ØMarcia defines crisis as a period of conscious decision making and commitment as a personal investment in an occupation or system of beliefs (ideology) 1. IDENTITY ACHIEVEMENT (crisis leading to commitment)-Knowing who one is unique person, accepting some cultural values and rejecting others. 2. FORECLOSURE (commitment without crisis)-Adopting preset roles And values without questioning.  PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 3. MORATORIUM (crisis with no commitment yet)-a pause in identity formation, in which alternatives are explored 4. IDENTITY DIFFUSION (no commitment, no crisis)- lack of values, traits or commitment.  SEXUALITY ØSEXUAL IDENTITY- seeing oneself as a sexual being, recognizing one’s sexual orientation, coming to terms with sexual stirrings and forming romantic or sexual attachment. ØSEXUAL ORIENTATION- Focus of consistent sexual, romantic, and affectionate interest.  RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, PEERS, AND ADULT SOCIETY ØADOLESCENT REBELLION- pattern of emotional turmoil, characteristic of a minority of adolescents. (conflict with family, alienation from adult society, reckless behavior, and rejection of adult values. ØAdolescent spend an increasing amount of time with peers, but relationships with parents continue to be influential. ØConflict with parents tends to be greatest during early adolescence ØEffects of family structure and maternal employment on adolescents’ development may depend on such factors as economic resources, the quality of home environment and how closely parents monitor adolescent’s whereabouts.  RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, PEERS, AND ADULT SOCIETY ØRelationships with siblings tend to become more distant and the balance of power between older and younger siblings become more equal. ØThe influence of the peer group is strongest in early adolescence. ØFriendships especially among girls, become more intimate, stable, and supportive in adolescence. ØRomantic, relationships meet a variety of needs and develop with age and experience.