copyright © allyn & bacon 2004 development through the lifespan chapter 11 physical and...

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004

Development Through the Lifespan

Chapter 11

Physical and Cognitive Development inAdolescence

This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:

Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;

Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;

Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.


Conceptions of Adolescence

Biological Perspective Puberty Storm and Stress Freud – genital stage

Social Perspective Cultural influences

Balanced Point of View Both biological and social influences


Hormonal Changes in Puberty Growth Hormone and

Thryoxine – increase around age 8 – 9

Estrogens More in girls Adrenal estrogens

Androgens More in boys Testosterone


Sex Differences in Body Growth in Adolescence

Boys Girls

Growth Spurt

Starts age 12 and 1/2

Starts age 10

Proportions Shoulders broaden

Longer legs

Hips broaden

Muscle-Fat Makeup

Gain more muscle, aerobic efficiency

Gain more fat


Sleep Habits in Adolescence Sleep needs decline

10 hours in middle childhood 7.5 – 8 hours in adolescence

Go to bed later Biological changes Social habits

Daytime sleepiness Achievement, mood problems More sleep disruption


Sports Participation in High School


Sexual Maturation

Primary Sexual Characteristics

Maturation of the reproductive organs

Girls: menarche Boys: spermarche

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Other visible parts of the body that signal sexual maturity

Girls: breasts Boys: facial hair, voice

change Both: underarm hair


Individual Differences in Timing of Puberty

Heredity Nutrition, exercise

Body fat in girls Geographical location SES Ethnic group Secular trend


Psychological and EmotionalReactions to Puberty

Reactions to menarche and spermarche vary Preparation is the key

Adolescent moodiness Parent-child conflict


Consequences of Timing of Puberty

Boys Girls

Early Maturing

PopularConfident, independentPositive body image

Unpopular Withdrawn, low confidence, negative body imageMore deviant behavior

Late Maturing

UnpopularAnxious, talkative, attention-seekingNegative body image

PopularSociable, livelyPositive body image


Nutrition in Adolescence

Calorie needs increase Poor food choices common

Less fruits, vegetables, milk, breakfast

More soda, fast food Iron, vitamin deficiencies Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa


Sexual Activity in Adolescence Recent decline in sexual

activity Substantial percentage

sexually active Males start earlier than

females Few partners American, Canadian rates

same as other Western countries


Adolescent Contraceptive Use

Recent increase in contraceptive use

Still, 20% American, 13% Canadian do not use

Reasons for not using: Concern about image Adolescent risk taking Social environment Forced intercourse


Sequence of Coming Out

Feeling Different – ages 6 – 12

Confusion – ages 11 – 15

Acceptance – timing varies


Adolescent Pregnancy 900,000 American teen

girls each year, 30,000 under age 15

40 – 45% get abortion 75% of teen mothers

unmarried. Problems: Educational achievement Marital patterns Economic circumstances Parenting skills and ability


Adolescents’ Substance Use

Have tried, by age 14: Cigarettes – 56% Alcohol – 70% Illegal drugs – 32%

By end of high school: 22% smoke regularly 60% tried heavy drinking 50%+ tried illegal drugs


Piaget’s Theory: Formal Operational Stage

Hypothetico-deductive reasoning Deducing hypotheses from a

general theory Pendulum problem

Propositional Thought Evaluating the logic of verbal

propositions Formal Operational thought

may not be universal


Information Processing Improvements in Adolescence

Attention Memory strategies Knowledge Metacognition Cognitive self-regulation Processing capacity

Speed of thinking


Consequences of Abstract Thought

Argumentativeness Self-Consciousness & Self-Focusing

Imaginary audience Sensitivity to criticism Personal fable

Idealism and Criticism Planning and Decision Making

Overwhelming options


Sex Differences in Mental Abilities Girls better on verbal tests; boys

on mathematical tests Genetics

Male spatial reasoning Female left (language) hemisphere

Environment “Masculine” and “feminine” school

subjects Class participation, teaching styles Differences declining


School Transitions in Adolescence

Grades decline with each transition Higher standards Less supportive teaching-

learning environment Lower self esteem

More with 6 – 3 – 3 organization than 8 – 4

Girls more than boys


Statistics on Dropping Out


Dropout Prevention Strategies High-quality vocational

training Remedial instruction Personalized counseling Address factors in

students’ lives outside school

Extracurricular activities


Supporting High Achievement during Adolescence

Child-rearing practices Authoritative Joint decision making

Peer influences School characteristics

Teachers High-level thinking Student participation

Employment Less than 15 hrs/week

Vocational education

copyright © allyn & bacon 2004 development through the lifespan chapter 11 physical and...

Documents