Understanding Adolescent Psychology: Development, Transitions, and Puberty

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Exploring the complexities of adolescence, this content delves into the various phases and transitions young individuals experience during this critical period. Topics covered include biological, cognitive, and social transitions, puberty, the endocrine system's role in development, and somatic changes like growth spurts. Defined by a broad range spanning from early to late adolescence, these formative years see significant physical and psychological growth. Dr. Sara Villanueva's insights shed light on the fundamental changes shaping adolescent development.

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Adolescent Psychology PSYC 2307 Dr. Sara Villanueva

What Is Adolescence? The second decade of life (~10 to ~22) Used to be considered the teen years (13-19) but now Period of adolescence has lengthened why? Young people maturing earlier So many people delaying entering working world and marriage til their mid-20 s

Tough to Define Is a biologically mature 5thgrader an adolescent or a child? Is a 20-year old college student who still lives at home an adolescent or an adult? All depends on the boundaries one uses to define the period Makes more sense to think of adolescent development as a series of transitions from immaturity into maturity

Adolescence: A broad range Because this period spans over a decade, covering so much growth and change, Adolescence divided into 3 phases: Early adolescence: 10-13 Middle adolescence: 14-17 Late adolescence: 18-22 Correspond to anything?

Part I: The Fundamental Changes of Adolescence Chapter 1: Biological Transitions Chapter 2: Cognitive Transitions Chapter 3: Social Transitions

Chapter One: Biological Transitions

What is Puberty? From Latin word pubertas (adult) Period of lifespan in which an individual becomes capable of sexual reproduction Hormones regulated by the endocrine system lead to physical changes No new hormones are produced and no new bodily systems develop at puberty

The Endocrine System: HPG Feedback Loop HPG Axis: Hypothalamus Pituitary gland (master gland) Gonads (testes and ovaries) Gonads release sex hormones into bloodstream Androgens and estrogens

Somatic Development: Changes in Stature/Dimensions of the Body Adolescent growth spurt Simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and androgens Peak Height Velocity Time that adolescent is growing most quickly Average female growth spurt is 2 years before the average male growth spurt

Somatic Development: Changes in Stature/Dimensions of the Body Skeletal changes Bones become harder, denser, more brittle Conclusion of puberty Closing of ends of long bones Growth in height is terminated Relative proportions of body fat/muscle change for boys and for girls Changes in the circulatory & respiratory systems

What triggers Puberty?

What Are The 3 Major Physical Changes of Puberty? Adolescent growth spurt Development of primary sex characteristics (gonads) Development of secondary sex characteristics (breasts, pubic hair)

How Do We Know? How do Scientists Investigate Pubertal Maturation?

Somatic Development: Sexual Maturation Development of secondary sex characteristics (Tanner Stages) Five Stages Changes include growth of pubic hair changes in appearance of sex organs breast development

Sexual Maturation: Boys Spermarche typically occurs 1 year after accelerated penis growth Boys capable of fathering a child before they look like adults; opposite true for girls 15

Sexual Maturation: Girls Sequence less regular than in boys Menarche typically occurs after other secondary sex characteristics; regular ovulation follows 2 years later Thus, girls appear physically mature before they are actually capable of reproduction 16

Variations in the Timing and Tempo of Puberty Onset can begin as early as 7 in girls and 9 in boys; as late as 13 in girls and 13 in boys Interval b/w first sign and complete physical maturation can be as short as 1.5 yrs or as long as 6 yrs

Ethnic Differences Within the U.S., there are Ethnic differences in timing and rate of pubertal maturation AA females mature significantly earlier than MA girls, who in turn, mature earlier than White girls Why the difference? Exposure to toxins in environment General SES Family dynamics

Puberty is Affected by Context Timing of physical changes in adolescence varies by Regions of the world Socioeconomic class Ethnic group Historical era Example: Menarche (first menstruation) U.S. average 12 to 13 years Lumi (New Guinea) average > 18 years

Individual Differences in Pubertal Maturation Pubertal maturation an interaction between genes and environment Differences in timing/rate among individuals in the same general environment result chiefly from genetic factors Two key environmental influences: nutrition and health Exposure to pheromes

Individual Differences in Pubertal Maturation: What can effect the Timing of Pubertal Onset? EARLY LATE Higher affluence; economic advantages But what about Culture/Ethnicity? Poorer economic conditions History of protein and/or caloric deficiencies Better nourishment throughout prenatal, infant, & childhood yrs Chronic illness in childhood Better health conditions EXCESSIVE EXERCISE! Ballet dancers, Gymnasts Eating disorders Growing up in less cohesive families w/ more conflict Growing up in households w/ no natural father; instead having stepfather present (pheromones) Small amts of stress = speed up; great deals = slow down

Psychological/Social: The Impact of Specific Pubertal Events Most adolescents react positively to pubertal changes especially secondary sex characteristics Reactions to menarche are varied but less negative than in the past Less known about boys reactions to first ejaculations why?

Psychological/Social: Early or Late Maturation Perception of being an early or late maturer is more important in affecting one s feelings than the reality Early maturation does bring social advantages But early maturation is associated with More drug and alcohol use Precocious sexual activity Context is important to consider

Eating Disorders in Adolescence

Eating Disorders Deviation from the ideal physique can lead to loss of self- esteem and other problems in the adolescent s self-image Studies of magazines, 1970 to 1990 Ideal body shape became slimmer Ideal body shape became less curvaceous

Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Adolescents with these eating disorders have an extremely disturbed body image. Bulimia Eating binges; force themselves to vomit 3% of adolescents are genuine bulimics Anorexia Starve themselves to keep weight down Fewer than of 1% of adolescents

Anorexia Nervosa INTENSTE fear of becoming obese which does not subside even with extreme weight loss Refusal to maintain body weight above minimum normal weight for one s age and height (ie, she is more than 15% below expected body weight) Body image distortion looks in mirror and sees FAT when in reality Can cause liver, kidney, and heart failure Deadliest of all psychiatric illnesses

Anorexia Nervosa Onset usually occurs after puberty or late adolescence In order to meet criteria, females must have absence of at least 3 consecutive menstrual cycles Primarily occurs in adolescent girls/women and rare in males Prevalence - .5 to 1% of female population Increase in early onset anorexia in girls b/w ages of 8 and 13! Obsessed with weighing themselves and the way others may see them Prevalent among dancers, gymnasts, models

Anorexia Nervosa How can they not realize that they are starving themselves TO DEATH? http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=wJPrhJty7TM

Bulimia Nervosa Recurrent episodes of binge eating eat abnormally large amounts of food in a small space of time Loses control when bingeing Uses vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or dieting to control weight Two or more eating binges a week, occurring for 3 or more months Overconcern with body weight and shape Onset usually during late adolescence or early adulthood Prevalence rate: 1-3% of population

Bulimia Nervosa Two sub-types: Purging type: individual regularly vomits or uses laxatives, diuretics, or enemas Nonpurging type: excessive exercise or fasting used in an attempt to compensate for binges

Important to know Differences b/w Anorexia & Bulimia People w/ Bulimia realize their eating patterns (binging/purging) are not normal frustrated and ashamed by that knowledge Bulimia much more prevalent than anorexia A person s weight has little to do with Bulimia whereas anorexic criteria is <15% normal body weight