Adolescent Development CLE
Hall's Theory of Recapitulation (biosocial)
Believed that the development of the individual paralleled the development of the human species, a notion referred to as his theory of recapitulation. Infancy was equivalent to the time during our evolution when we were primitive. Adolescence was seen as a time that paralleled the evolution of our species into civilization. These stages were determined primarily by instinct (bio and genetic forces in a person) and barely influenced by the environment. Also believed it was a period of "storm and stress" from the hormonal changes that caused upheaval
Which of the following girls will experience the greatest menstrual discomfort? A) Sarita, who is prepared for the physical changes B) Alison, who is a late maturer C) Loryn, who has a negative attitude toward menarche D) Janet, who is unpopular among her classmates
C) Loryn, who has a negative attitude toward menarche
Sarcasm
Can finally understand sarcasm, irony, and satire
Intergenerational Conflict (sociological theories)
Conflict between generations; Karl Mannheim and James Coleman stressed the fact that adolescents and adults grow up under different social circumstances and therefore develop different sets of attitudes, values, and beliefs
Mike, an early maturer, is more likely to __________ than Bob, a late maturer. A) experience pseudomaturity B) suffer greater consequences if bullied by peers C) fall in love ( suffer greater consequences if bullied D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Which of the following statements about adolescent mood swings is false? A) The effect of hormones on adolescent mood swings is strongest early in puberty. B) Adolescents' moods fluctuate during the course of the day more than the moods of adults. C) Adolescent mood swings parallel their changes in activities. D) Hormones play a greater role in the development of depression than do stressful life events.
D) Hormones play a greater role in the development of depression than do stressful life events.
Which adolescent is at highest risk for suicide? A) Malcolm, an African-American male B) Willie, a white male C) Susan, a white female D) Leonard, a Native American male
D) Leonard, a Native American male
Studies show that adolescent mood swings parallel their changes in: A) hormone levels. B) family relationships. C) nutrition. D) activities.
D) activities.
Developmental plasticity
Extensive remodeling of the brain's circuitry in response to experiences during childhood and adolescence, while the brain is still maturing
Hormones
Highly specialized substances secreted by one or more endocrine glands
Bar (Bat) Mitzvah
In Judaism, the religious ceremony marking the young person's transition to adulthood
Zone of proximal development
In Vygotsky's theory, the level of challenge that is still within the indivudual's reach but that forces an individual to develop more advanced skills
Which of the following statements is consistent with Piaget's cognitive development theory?
Individuals progress through stages based on biological readiness in addition to increasing environmental demands.
Child protectionists
Individuals who argued, early in the 20th century, that adolescents needed to be kept out of the labor force in order to protect them from the hazards of the workplace
Renee, a 6-year-old, is unable to answer the question, "How are a motorcycle and a bicycle alike?" Mohammed, a 17-year-old, answers the same question by saying, "They are both types of transportation." What statement about Renee and Mohammed is most true?
Mohammed has demonstrated the ability to think abstractly.
Neurons
Nerve cells
Pituitary gland
One of the chief glands responsible for regulating levels of hormones in the body
Hormones play two very different roles in adolescence. _______ hormones program the brain to behave in certain ways, whereas _______ hormones are thought to stimulate development of the secondary sex characteristics.
Organizational; activational
Glands
Organs that stimulate particular parts of the body to respond in specific ways to particular hormones
Freudian Theory (organismic)
Puberty temporarily throws the adolescent into a period of psychological crisis, by reviving old conflicts over uncomfortable sexual urges that had been buried in the unconscious; his daughter emphasized the need for adolescents to break away or detach from their parents to develop normally
Psychosocial
Referring to aspects if development that are both psychological and social in nature, such as developing a sense of identity or sexuality
Adult plasticity
Relatively minor changes in brain circuits as a result of experiences during adulthood, after the brain has matured
Thinking about Abstract concepts
Second notable aspect of cognitive development during adolescence; can think in more advanced ways about interpersonal relationships, politics, philosophy, religion, and morality
Statutory rape
Sex between two individuals, even when it is consensual, when at least one of the persons is below the legal age of consent; in the US the specific age of consent varies from state to state
Neurotransmitters
Specialized chemicals that carry electrical impulses between neurons
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons
Specialized neurons that are activated by certain pubertal hormones
Dual Systems Theories (biosocial)
Stress the simultaneous development of two different brain systems; one that governs the ways in which the brain processes rewards, punishments, social and emotional info. The other one regulates self-control and advanced thinking abilities, like planning or logical reasoning
Behaviorism (learning theories)
Stresses the processes of reinforcement and punishment as the main influences on adolescent behavior
Social cognition
The aspect of cognition that concerns thinking about other people, about interpersonal relations, and about social institutions
Puberty
The biological change of adolescence
Age of majority
The designated age at which an individual is recognized as an adult
Identity
The domain of psychosocial development involving self-conceptions, self-esteem, and the sense of who one is
Adolescent growth spurt
The dramatic increase in height and weight that occurs in puberty
Reminiscence bump
The fact that experiences from adolescence are generally recalled more than experiences from other stages of life
Sensorimotor period
The first stage of cognitive development, according to Piaget, spanning the period roughly between birth and age 2
Initiation ceremony
The formal induction of a young person into adulthood
Formal operations
The fourth stage of cognitive development, according to Piaget, spanning the period from early adolescence through adulthood
Middle adolescence
The period spanning roughly ages 14-17, corresponding to the high school years
Late adolescence
The period spanning roughly ages 18-21 corresponding approximately to the college years
Emerging adulthood
The period spanning roughly ages 18-25, during which individuals make the transition from adolescence to adulthood
Prefrontal cortex
The region of the brain most important for sophisticated thinking abilities, such as planning, thinking ahead, weighing risks and rewards, and controlling impulses
Pre-operational period
The second stage of cognitive development, according to Piaget, spanning the period roughly between age 2-5
Adolescence
The stage of development that begins with puberty and ends when individuals make the transition into adult roles, roughly speaking, from about 10 until early 20s
Criminal justice system
The system of courts and related institutions developed to handle adult crime
Endocrine system
The system of the body that produces, circulates, and regulates hormones
Menarche
The time of first menstruation, one of the most important changes to occur among females during puberty
Inventionists
Theorists who argue that the period of adolescence is mainly a social invention
youth
Today, a term used to refer to individuals ages 18-22; it used to refer to individuals ages 12-24
Quinceanera
an elaborate sort of "coming-out" celebration for adolescent girls that is practiced in many Latino communities
Joey enjoys playing the devil's advocate and is always stirring up discussions with his contrary positions. This ability is one aspect of:
hypothetical thinking.
Which term below allows individuals to suspend their beliefs about something in order to argue in the abstract?
hypothetical thinking.
Which of the following brain systems is responsible for processing emotions, social information, and rewards?
limbic system.
Which of the following is not relatively stable during adolescence?
mental abilities.
The ability to think about one's own thoughts is called:
metacognition.
Which of the following is not true for adolescents who have been exposed to violence?
they are less likely to experience feelings of hopelessness.
Sternberg's Triarchic theory
three types of intelligence: componential intelligence, experimental intelligence, contextual intelligence; forced us to see that some people are intelligent in different ways
Hypothetical thinking
"If-then" thinking; can see beyond what is directly observable and apply logical reasoning to anticipate what might be possible; can help with arguments
Kisspeptin
A brain chemical believed to trigger the onset of puberty
Rite of passage
A ceremony or ritual marking an individual's transition from one social status to another, especially marking the young person's transition to adulthood
Pheromones
A class of chemicals secreted by animals that stimulate certain behaviors in other members of the species
Estrogens
A class of sex hormones secreted by the gonads, found in both sexes, but in higher levels among females than males following puberty
Cortisol
A hormone produced when a person is exposed to stress
Electroencephalography (EEG)
A technique for measuring electrical activity at different locations on the scalp
Basic changes in cognition for adolescents
-Adolescents are better at thinking about what is possible, instead of limiting their thought to what is real -Better at thinking about abstract things -Think more often about the process of thinking itself -Thinking is more often multidimensional, rather than limited to a single issue -Adolescents are more likely to see things as relative, rather than as absolute
Emerging adulthood characteristics
-The exploration of possible identities before making enduring choices -Instability in work, romantic relationships and living arrangements -A focus on oneself and, in particular, on functioning as an independent person
Response inhibition
A cognitive process that permits an individual to inhabit their impulses and natural, habitual, or dominant behavior responses to stimuli
Collective efficacy
A community's social capital, derived from its members' common values and goals
Adolescent health care
A field of study and health care devoted to understanding the health care needs of individuals during the second decade of life
Cohort
A group of individuals born during the same general historical era
Piagetian Theory (organismic)
Adolescence marks the transition from concrete to abstract thought; capable of thinking in hypothetical terms, a development that permits a broad expansion of logical capabilities; influenced by both internal biological changes of the developmental period and by changes in the intellectual environment encountered by the individual;
Personal fable
An adolescent's belief that he/she is unique and therefore not subject to the rules that govern other people's behavior; the second problem resulting form adolescent egocentrism ("You don't understand my pain of breaking up with Sally!"); can be positive with self-image and self-esteem
Bulimia
An eating disorder found primarily among young women, characterized by a pattern of binge eating and extreme weight loss measures, including self-induced vomiting
Which of the following statements about the timing and tempo of sexual maturation is true? A) In the United States, and in all other countries, menarche typically occurs around age 12. B) The duration of puberty varies widely - from 1.5 to 6 years in girls and 2 to 5 years in boys. C) Adolescents who begin puberty early are also those who complete it early. D) Adolescents who begin puberty earlier usually grow to be taller adults.
B) The duration of puberty varies widely - from 1.5 to 6 years in girls and 2 to 5 years in boys.
The potentially fatal disorder in which young women actually starve themselves is called: A) bulimia. B) anorexia nervosa. C) obesity nervosa. D) purging.
B) anorexia nervosa.
Which of the following characteristics is not typically associated with being an early-maturing girl? A) feelings of awkwardness and self-consciousness B) being less popular, especially with boys C) being more likely to become involved in juvenile delinquency D) being less likely to pursue advanced education and a demanding career
B) being less popular, especially with boys
Theresa has been known to go on eating binges and then purge afterward. Theresa is probably suffering from: A) anorexia nervosa. B) bulimia. C) oral fixation. D) obesity.
B) bulimia.
Which of the following female sex characteristics is usually the last to develop? A) menarche B) regular ovulation C) development of the nipples of the breasts D) growth of pubic hair
B) regular ovulation
Anorexia nervosa
An eating disorder found chiefly among young women, characterized by dramatic and severe self-induced weight loss
The simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and _________ stimulates rapid acceleration in height and weight during puberty. A) pituitary glands B) estrogens C) androgens D) thyroid glands
C) androgens
When levels of _____&_____ fall below the set points, the _____ stops inhibiting the pituitary gland, thus permitting it to stimulate the release of sex hormones by the gonads. A) leptin & thyroid hormones; hypothalamus B) androgens & estrogen; adrenal gland C) androgens & estrogens; hypothalamus D) leptin & thyroid hormones; adrenal gland
C) androgens & estrogens; hypothalamus
The delayed phase preference suggests that: A) adolescents should not be taught sex education until high school. B) school should be held year-round. C) school should begin later in the morning. D) school should begin earlier in the morning.
C) school should begin later in the morning.
Event-related potentials (ERPs)
Changes in electrical activity in areas of the brain in response to specific stimuli or events
Which of the following conditions is most likely to produce the most favorable and easiest adjustment to menarche? A) when the girl's mother prepares her by describing the unpleasant aspects of menarche B) when the girl reaches menarche early C) when menarche occurs before the girl has been told about the physical changes which will occur D) when the girl knows the facts about the physical changes her body will undergo
D) when the girl knows the facts about the physical changes her body will undergo
Brain function
Patterns of brain activity
Working memory
That aspect of memory in which information is held for a short time while a problem is being solved
Social scientists believe that the transition from adolescence into adulthood in contemporary society is
too long.
Which of the following is not associated with the "new morbidity and mortality" of adolescence? A) accidents B) suicide C) homicide D) cancer
D) cancer
Androgens
A class of sex hormones secreted by the gonads, found in both sexes, but in higher levels among males than females following puberty
Feedback loop
A cycle through which two or more bodily functions respond to and regulate each other, such as that formed by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the gonads
Melatonin
A hormone secreted by the brain that contributes to sleepiness and that triggers the onset of puberty through its impact on kisspeptin (surprises kisspeptin)
Graduated driver licensing
A licensing system in which full adult driving privileges are not granted all at once to teen drivers but phased in over time
Body mass index (BMI)
A measure of an individual's body fat, the ratio of weight to height; used to gauge over weight and obesity
Hypothalamus
A part of the brain that controls the functioning of the pituitary glands
Delayed preference phase
A pattern of sleep characterized by later sleep and wake times, which usually emerges during puberty
Information-processing perspective
A perspective on cognition that derives from the study of artificial intelligence and attempts to explain cognitive development in terms of the growth of specific components of the thinking process (such as memory)
ecological perspective on human development
A perspective on development that emphasizes the broader context in which development occurs
Cognitive-developmental view
A perspective on development, based on the work of Piaget, that takes a qualitative stage-theory approach
Set point
A physiological level or setting that the body attempts to maintain through a self-regulating system
Circumcision
A procedure in which some part of the genitals is cut and permanently altered
Leptin
A protein produced by the fat cells that may play a role in the onset of puberty through its impact on kisspeptin (stimulates kisspeptin)
Juvenile justice system
A separate system of courts and related institutions developed to handle juvenile crime and delinquency
Cross-sectional study
A study that compares two or more groups of individuals at one point in time
Longitudinal study
A study that follows the same group of individuals over time
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
A technique used to produce images of the brain that shows connections among different regions
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
A technique used to produce images of the brain, often while the subject us performing some sort of mental task
Teenagers
A term popularized about 50 years ago to refer to young people; it connoted a more frivolous and lighthearted image than did "adolescent"
Deductive reasoning
A type of logical reasoning in which one draws logically necessary conclusions from a general set of premises, or givens
Status offense
A violation of the law that pertains to minors but not adults
Tanner stages
A widely used system that describes the fives stages of pubertal development
Which of the following is probably true for Ashley, an early-maturing girl who was short and stocky as a child? A) After puberty, she will be shorter and heavier than her late-maturing peers. B) After puberty, she will be shorter and thinner than her late-maturing peers. C) After puberty, she will be taller and heavier than her late-maturing peers. D) After puberty, she will be taller and thinner than her late-maturing peers.
A) After puberty, she will be shorter and heavier than her late-maturing peers.
Based on research addressing ethnic differences in the timing and rate of pubertal maturation, which girl would be expected to be the earliest to mature? A) Anslyene, a middle-income African American B) Miranda, a middle-income Hispanic American C) Emily, a low-income Anglo American D) Kimberly, a middle-income Anglo American
A) Anslyene, a middle-income African American
Who is at the greatest risk of developing body dissatisfaction? A) Callie, an early-maturing, affluent Caucasian girl who compares herself to her friends B) Miranda, a late-maturing African-American girl C) John, an early-maturing African-American male who compares himself to his friends D) Mike, a late-maturing Caucasian male who feels he is not muscular enough
A) Callie, an early-maturing, affluent Caucasian girl who compares herself to her friends
Which of the following statements about puberty's impact on family relationships is true? A) Puberty appears to increase distance between parents and children. B) Other species do not experience distance during the pubertal transition. C) Being an early maturing adolescent has more impact on family tension than being a late maturing adolescent. D) Puberty does not interfere with family relations.
A) Puberty appears to increase distance between parents and children.
Which of the following statements about the production of hormones at puberty is false? A) The body begins to produce several hormones that have not been present in the body up until this time. B) There is an increase in the production of certain hormones. C) Boys' bodies produce more androgens and girls' bodies produce more estrogens. D) The feedback loop regulating the endocrine system's set point for each hormone becomes increasingly important.
A) The body begins to produce several hormones that have not been present in the body up until this time.
Karen has been known to exercise excessively, count calories, and diet obsessively. She is currently depriving herself of food even though she is 20 pounds underweight. Karen is probably suffering from: A) anorexia nervosa. B) bulimia. C) oral fixation. D) deprivation syndrome.
A) anorexia nervosa.
Suzanne and Greg are the first members of their class to begin the pubertal transition. Based on what you know about early maturing adolescents, Suzanne and Greg are more likely to: A) become involved in deviant activities. B) do better in school. C) be ostracized by their classmates. D) get along with their parents.
A) become involved in deviant activities.
The first sign of puberty in girls is generally: A) budding of the breasts. B) underarm hair. C) menarche. D) acne.
A) budding of the breasts.
Ten-year-old Luna's budding feelings of sexual attraction are most likely explained: A) by maturation of the adrenal glands through the process called adrenarche. B) by maturation of the gonads through a process called menarche. C) as rising levels of leptin instruct her hypothalamus to set the hormonal changes of puberty in motion. D) as increases in sex hormones activate her HPG axis.
A) by maturation of the adrenal glands through the process called adrenarche.
Ta'isha believes that "fat is beautiful" and has a steady diet of fried chicken, french fries, and cheeseburgers. Tanya believes that "thin is in" and uses vomiting and laxatives as a way to keep her weight down. Both girls exhibit what psychologists call: A) disordered eating. B) bulimia. C) anorexia nervosa. D) normal adolescent eating patterns.
A) disordered eating.
The adolescent growth spurt: A) generally begins two years earlier for girls than for boys. B) generally begins two years earlier for boys than for girls. C) is slower in the early adolescent years, then speeds up around age 15 for boys and girls. D) proceeds along a smooth and rapid course over the teen years.
A) generally begins two years earlier for girls than for boys.
Although both sexes experience changes in muscle tissue and body fat, the ratio of muscle to body fat is: A) greater in boys than girls. B) greater in girls than boys. C) about the same in both genders. D) greater in early maturing girls than in late-maturing boys.
A) greater in boys than girls.
Avram is considered a late-maturing boy. A year after pubertal onset, we would expect Avram to show all of the following advantages over his early maturing peers, except: A) greater popularity./ Athletic B) more intellectual curiosity. C) greater exploratory behavior. D) higher levels of social initiative.
A) greater popularity.
The rapid increase in body fat that adolescent girls experience: A) leads to a majority of adolescent girls dieting unnecessarily. B) leads to an increase in healthy eating patterns among adolescent girls. C) increases vulnerability to feelings of body dissatisfaction for African-American adolescent girls. D) is seen by the Centers for Disease Control as a major risk factor for obesity among adolescent girls.
A) leads to a majority of adolescent girls dieting unnecessarily.
According to the textbook, Julie, a seventeen-year-old living in a college dormitory, has noticed that her menstrual periods have begun to synchronize with_____, which is compelling evidence that social relationships can affect biological functioning. A) the time her female roommate menstruates B) her most stressful days of the month C) days she feels most sexually aroused D) her biological sister living in a different city
A) the time her female roommate menstruates
Behavior decision theory
An approach to understanding adolescent risk taking, in which behaviors are seen as the outcome of systematic decision making processes
Limbic system
An area of the brain that plays an important role in the processing of emotional experience, social information, and rewards and punishment
Binge eating disorder
An eating disorder characterized by a pattern of binge eating that is not accompanied by drastic attempts to lose weight
The most virulent threats to adolescent health come from all of the following, except: A) unhealthy behaviors, such as drug use. B) chronic disabilities, such as cancer and arthritis. C) violence inflicted by themselves or by others. D) risky activities, such as unprotected sexual intercourse.
B) chronic disabilities, such as cancer and arthritis
A research design in which subjects of different ages are assessed simultaneously is called a: A) longitudinal study. B) cross-sectional study. C) cross-sequential study. D) correlational study.
B) cross-sectional study.
Given a choice, Mike would rather stay up until 1:00 A.M. and sleep until 10:00 A.M. This pattern is called the: A) secular trend. B) delayed phase preference. C) longitudinal design. D) adolescent growth spurt.
B) delayed phase preference.
Which group is most at risk for obesity? A) late maturing African-American girls B) early maturing African-American girls C) early maturing white boys D) early maturing white girls
B) early maturing African-American girls
Differences in the timing and rate of puberty among individuals growing up in the same general environment are largely caused by: A) hormonal factors. B) genetic factors. C) environmental factors. D) None of the above
B) genetic factors.
Follow-up studies of Swedish women who had been early maturers found that as adults they were: A) unable to develop coping skills. B) less likely to continue their education beyond high school. C) more likely to continue their education beyond high school. D) indistinguishable from those who had been late maturers.
B) less likely to continue their education beyond high school.
Puberty began for Nancy when she was 9 years old. Her mother began puberty at 11 years. For her grandmother, the onset was at 13 years of age. These changes in the age of onset of puberty over time are referred to as: A) cross-sectional trend. B) secular trend. C) longitudinal trend. D) physiologic trend.
B) secular trend.
All of the following are reasons that males have greater gains in strength than females during early adolescence, except: A) increased production of androgens. B) strong societal pressures on girls to decrease their physical activity in preadolescence. C) inadequate nutrition among adolescent girls. D) adolescent girls' increase in body fat.
B) strong societal pressures on girls to decrease their physical activity in preadolescence.
Adolescence as an Invention (historical and anthropological theories)
Believe that adolescence is a social invention; believe that the way in which we divide the life cycle in states is a reflection of the political, economic, and social circumstances that we live in
The presence or absence of certain hormones early in life may "program" the brain and the nervous system to develop in certain ways later on. These hormones are considered: A) androgens. B) estrogens. C) organizational. D) activational.
C) organizational.
The biological changes that take place during puberty can cause changes in adolescents' behavior in all of the following ways, except: A) directly. B) by affecting the adolescent's self-image. C) by affecting the reactions of others to the adolescent. D) All of these are ways in which biological changes occurring in puberty can cause changes in adolescents' behavior
D) All of these are ways in which biological changes occurring in puberty can cause changes in adolescents' behavior.
Which of the following statements about prenatal development is not true: A) Up until about eight weeks after conception, all human brains are feminine. B) Puberty is part of a gradual process that begins at conception. C) All hormones necessary for puberty are present before birth. D) The amount of cortisol exposed to the fetus is directly linked to the timing and tempo of puberty.
D) The amount of cortisol exposed to the fetus is directly linked to the timing and tempo of puberty.
Which of the following is not an explanation for the sex differences in the impact of early and late maturation for boys and girls? A) the cultural desirability of thin body types B) the developmental readiness hypothesis C) the maturational deviance hypothesis D) boys' greater involvement in delinquency(genetic make up )
D) boys' greater involvement in delinquency
Social Learning Theory (learning theories)
Emphasize the ways in which adolescents learn how to behave, but place more weight on the processes of modeling and observational learning. Learn how to behave not simply being reinforced and punished, but also by watching and imitating those around them
Adolescent Marginality (Sociological theories)
Focused on the relations between the generations and have tended to emphasize the difficulties young people have in making the transition from adolescence to adulthood, especially in industrialized society
Disordered eating
Mild, moderate, or severe disturbance in eating habits and attitudes
Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
More to being book smart; seven types of intelligence: verbal, mathematical, spatial, kinesthetic, self-reflective, interpersonal, and musical
Discontinuous transitions
Passages into adulthood in which adult roles and statuses are entered into abruptly
Continuous transitions
Passages into adulthood in which adult roles and statuses are entered into gradually
Anthropological Perspectives (historical and anthropological theories)
Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead pointed out that societies vary considerably in the ways that they view and structure adolescence. As a consequence, these thinkers viewed adolescence as a culturally defined experience; nonindustrial societies have a gradual and peaceful transition into adulthood
Eriksonian Theory (organismic)
Stressed the psychosocial, rather than the psychosexual, conflicts faced by the individual at each point in time. In his 8 stages, development in adolescence revolves around the identity crisis. To resolve, must get over identity crisis and to emerge with a coherent sense of who one is an where one is headed
Scaffolding
Structuring a learning situation so that it is just within the reach of the student
Long-term memory
The ability to recall something from a long time ago
Mentalizing
The ability to understand someone else's mental state
Theory of mind
The ability to understand that others have beliefs, intentions, and knowledge that may be different from one's own
Imaginary audience
The belief, often brought on by the heightened self-consciousness of early adolescence, that everyone is watching and evaluating one's behavior; one problem resulting from adolescent egocentrism
Plasticity
The capacity of the brain to change in response to experience
Epiphysis
The closing of the ends of the bones, which terminates growth after the adolescent growth spurt has been completed
Female genital mutilation
The cutting or removal of the clitoris, performed in some cultures as part of the initiation of female adolescents
Thinking in Multiple Dimensions
The fourth way that thinking changes during adolescence; children tend to think about things one aspect at a time, while adolescents can see things through more complicated lenses; also helps with development of more sophisticated understanding of probability; helps them understand that personality is not one sided and social situations can have different interpretations
Synapse
The gap in space between neurons, across which neurotransmitters carry electrical impulses
Gonads
The glands that secrete sex hormones; males- testes females- ovaries
Which of the following statements about intelligence in adolescence is true?
The higher an individual's IQ, the smaller the number of same-aged peers who perform equally or better.
Scarification
The intentional creation of scars on some part or parts of the body, often done as part of an initiation ceremony
Secondary sex characteristics
The manifestations of sexual maturity at puberty, including the development of breasts, the growth of facial and body hair, and changes in the voice
Adrenarche
The maturation of the adrenal glands that takes place during adolescence
Basal metabolism rate
The minimal amount of energy used by the body during a resting state
HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis
The neurophysiological pathway that involves the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the gonads
Social conventions
The norms that govern everyday behavior in social situations
Baby boom
The period following World War 2, during which the number of infants born was extremely large
Early adolescence
The period spanning roughly ages 10-13, corresponding roughly to the junior high or middle school years
Brain structure
The physical form and organization of the brain
Peak height velocity
The point at which the adolescent is growing most rapidly
Selective attention
The process by which we focus on one stimulus while turning out another
Divided attention
The process of paying attention to two or more stimuli at the same time
Metacognition
The process of thinking about thinking itself; monitoring your own cognitive activity during the thinking process- like using a strategy for remembering something; also apparent with increased introspection and self-consciousness
Social redefinition
The process through which an individual's position or status is redefined by society
Myelination
The process through which brain circuits are insulated with myelin, which improves the efficiency of information processing
Synaptic pruning
The process through which unnecessary connections between neurons are eliminated, improving the efficiency of information processing
Achievement
The psychosocial domain concerning behaviors and feelings in evaluative situations
Autonomy
The psychosocial domain concerning the development and expression of independence
Intimacy
The psychosocial domain concerning the development and expression of sexual feelings
Sexuality
The psychosocial domain concerning the development and expression of sexual feelings
Sensation seeking
The pursuit of experiences that are novel or exciting
Autobiographical memory
The recall of personally meaningful past events
Secular trend
The tendency, over the past two centuries, for individuals to be larger in stature and to reach puberty earlier, primarily because of improvements in health and nutrition
Thinking about Thinking
The third notable aspect of cognitive development during adolescence; also called Metacognition
Concrete operations
The third stage of cognitive development, according to Piaget, spanning the period roughly between age 6 and early adolescence
The erroneous belief that one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences are unique is called:
a personal fable.
Piaget theorists believe that the use of _____ is the chief feature of adolescent thinking that differentiates it from the type of thinking employed by children.
abstract logical reasoning.
The text suggests that _________ are not a good explanation of adolescent egocentrism.
cognitive deficiencies.
Sternberg's "triarchic theory of intelligence" proposes that to assess an individual's intellectual capabilities it is necessary to look at three distinct, but interrelated, types of "intelligence":
componential, experiential, and contextual.
Steve gets all As in his course work but has a hard time relating to the real world. According to Sternberg, Steve is above average in _____ intelligence but below average in _____ intelligence.
componential; contextual.
Which of the following terms applies more to adolescent thought than to childhood thought?
flexible, speculative, abstract.
According to research on behavioral decision theory, adolescents often decide to engage in behavior that seems risky to adults because adolescents:
have different values and priorities than adults.
Which of the following is not one of the five chief changes in cognition during adolescence?
increased imagination.
During adolescence, individuals' IQ scores _____, whereas their mental abilities _____.
remain stable; increase.
Adolescents develop the ability to think about social issues, a concept more generally referred to as:
social cognition.
