Physical & Cognitive Development in Adolescence

Ch. 8

Signs of Physical Maturation

Puberty Consists of 2 changes that mark change from childhood to young adulthood
1. Physical changes

2.Sexual changes

Signs of Physical Maturation

Early maturation Boys Beneficial Perceived as more mature Girls May lead to associating with older adolescents Engage in age-inappropriate behavior

Physical Growth
Growth spurt Females Begins about 2 yrs before boys Begins at age 11 and reach mature stature at 15 Gain as much as 20 lbs a year Males Begins at age 13 and reach mature stature at about 17 Gains as much as 25 lbs a year

Brain Growth
Brain is 95% of adult size and weight

Myelination and synaptic pruning are nearly complete

Sexual Maturation
Primary sex characteristics Organs of reproduction Secondary sex characteristics Physical signs of maturity not directly linked to reproduction Girls breast & widening of pelvis Boys facial hair & broadening of shoulders

Sexual Maturation
Menarche Onset of menstruation in girls First menstrual cycles are usually irregular and without ovulation Spermarche first spontaneous ejaculation of sperm-containing fluid First ejaculations usually contain few sperm.

Mechanisms of Maturation
Pituitary gland
Stimulates other glands to produce estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys Genetic Forces Strongly influenced by environment Adequate health care & nutrition = earlier menarche Mothers age at menarche is related to daughters age at menarche

Psychological Impact of Puberty

Body Image
Girls more critical of their appearance likely to be dissatisfied Boys Peers have little influence on image satisfaction

Moodiness
Hormones not responsible for teenage moodiness Associated with changes in activities & social settings Recreational activities = good mood adult-regulated activities = negative mood

Nutrition
Need high caloric intake because of high growth and metabolism rates Girls need approximately 2200 calories per day Boys need around 2700 calories daily

Most U.S. teens consume sufficient calories but not in balanced, nutritional meals
In the U.S. 1 of every 7 children is overweight

Obese youths can lose weight

Success Monitor eating, exercise, and sedentary behavior Short-term goals are set in each area Parents are trained to help set realistic goals and to use behavioral principles in meeting them

Anorexia & Bulimia

Anorexia disorder marked by an irrational fear of being overweight & persistent refusal to eat Have distorted body image As many as 15% of adolescents with anorexia die Bulimia consists of binge eating and purging by vomiting or with laxatives Bingeing may occur as many as 30 times per week Adolescents with bulimia cannot stop eating

Threats to Adolescent Well-Being

1 of 1000 U.S. adolescents dies yearly. Most from auto accidents or firearms Accidental deaths often stem from decisions to engage in higher risk behaviors Adolescents may give greater weight to the social consequences of choices

How Does Information Processing Improve in Adolescence?

Not a separate stage

Rapidly changing transition from childhood cognition to young adulthood

Changes do take place in certain areas of cognitive development

Working Memory & Processing Speed

Speed of cognitive processing and memory capacity both achieve adult levels during adolescence Adolescents process information very efficiently During adolescence, children become as knowledgeable as adults in certain domains This enhances performance in some areas and assists them in understanding and learning new areas

Kohlbergs Theory
Preconventional Level - moral reasoning is based on external forces Stage 1: Obedience orientation Obedience to authority Controlled by rewards & punishments Do what authorities say to avoid being punished Stage 2: Instrumental orientation consists of looking out for their own needs Nice to others because expect favor to be returned

Kohlbergs Theory
Conventional Level - look to societys norms for moral guidance Stage 3 Interpersonal Norms Moral reasoning is based on winning approval of others Stage 4 Social System Morality Adolescents believe that social roles, expectations, and laws are for the good of all people

Kohlbergs Theory
Postconventional Level - morals are based on a personal moral code Stage 5 Social Contract Laws and expectations are good as long as they benefit all group members Stage 6 Universal Ethical Principles People choose ethical principles such as justice, compassion, and equality May sometimes conflict with societys expectations & laws

Support for Kohlbergs Theory

Longitudinal studies show people do not skip stages and do not regress Links between levels of moral reasoning and moral action Higher levels are associated with causes and following beliefs. Lower levels are associated with delinquency

Carol Gilligans Theory

Argues Kohlbergs emphasis on justice is more applicable to men than women, even in the western cultures
Primary emphasis for women is caring. Highest principle is for the alleviation of social and global problems Stage One - preoccupation with ones own needs Stage Two - caring for others Stage Three - emphasis of caring in all human relationships and denunciation of violence/exploitation

Promoting Moral Reasoning

Children advance through contact with those at higher stages Kohlberg found discussion of morality can help children see short-comings in moral reasoning