Module 7: Adolescence (Part 1)

Define: Serotonin

"calming chemical" A neurotransmitter that regulates mood and behavior; eases tension and stress

What 2 glands mature during puberty?

1. Adrenal glands 2. Sex glands

What is the main/most common eating disorders?

1. Anorexia nervosa 2. Bulimia nervosa 3. Binge-eating disorder

How can one treat eating disorders? In other words, what are the foundations of treatment?

1. Getting adequate nutrition 2. Stopping inappropriate behaviors 3. Treatment plans (medical care, nutritional counseling, medications (i.e antidepressants), individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy

What are the 2 roles that hormones play in adolescence?

1. Organizational role - Priming the body for puberty 2. Activational role - Triggering certain behavioral and physical changes

For what 2 reasons do teens have sexual intercourse early in life?

1. Peer pressure 2. Curiosity

What are the changes that occur during adolescence listed in 3 domains?

1. Physical 2. Cognitive 3. Psychosocial

As the frontal lobes become more developed, what 2 things happen?

1. Self-control develops - Teens are better able to assess cause and effect. 2. Emotion processing - More areas of the brain become involved in processing emotions, and teens become better at accurately interpreting others' emotions.

How can spermarche occur?

1. Unconsciously - During sleep (nocturnal emission or "wet dream") 2. Consciously - Direct stimulation

1. Adolescence begins with the onset of ____________, the changes that lead to the ability to reproduce. 2. The rapid increase in the individual's height and weight during puberty, referred to as a _________, usually lasts two to three years. 3. During sexual maturation, _________ sexual characteristics are directly involved in reproduction. 4. The deepening of the voice in males is an example of a ___________ sexual characteristic. 5. The first menstruation, or __________ , usually occurs in girls between the ages of 11 and 14.

1. puberty 2. growth spurt 3. primary 4. secondary 5. menarche

What is the typical age range of adolescence?

12 to 18 years old

The physical development of adolescents is often completed by age _______.

18

During adolescence, children gain ______% of their adult body weight, experience ____________ which makes them capable of reproducing, and experience an astounding transformation in their _______ although it still has more years to reach maturity.

50; puberty; brains

Changes include improvements in complex and abstract thought, development occuring at different rates in distinct parts of the brain and increases adolescents' propensity for risky behavior. A. Physical B. Cognitive C. Psychosocial

B. Cognitive

What treatment plan is appropriate to eliminate binge eating and purging behaviors? What does it do?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Identifies distorted thinking patterns and changes inaccurate beliefs.

(T/F): The brain grows in size much during adolescence. The ___________ in the brain continue to become more complex until the late teens. The biggest changes in the folds of the brain during this time occur in what part?

False creases The parts of the cortex that process cognitive and emotional information.

(T/F): Eating disorders only affects women.

False; both Although it is greater in women by 2½ times than men.

(T/F): Many adolescents welcome their sudden weight increase.

False; few welcome it So they may adjust their eating habits to lose weight.

(T/F): Before puberty, there are major differences between males and females in the distribution of fat and muscle.

False; nearly no differences

(T/F): Adolescents experience moderate development in a short period of time.

False; rapid (Second only to infant development)

(T/F): Girls begin their growth spurt slightly later than boys.

False; switch boys and girls

(T/F): Brain deficits make teens do risky things.

False; they do not The real factors are the lack of experience and a drive to explore the world.

Female gonad? Male gonad?

Female: ovary Male: testicle

What are the 2 distinct phases which puberty occurs in?

Phase 1: Adrenarche - An increased production of adrenal androgens that contribute to a number of pubertal changes (i.e. skeletal growth) Phase 2: Gonadarche - An increased production of hormones governing physical and sexual maturation.

What are primary sex characteristics? What are secondary sex characteristics?

Primary: Organs specifically needed for reproduction (Females: uterus, ovaries, vagina) (Males: testes, testicles) Secondary: Physical signs of sexual maturation (Females: breasts, hips, pubic hair, underarm hair, sweat glands) (Males: facial hair deepened voice, pubic hair, underarm hair, sweat glands)

(Dopamine/Serotonin) puts a brake on the excitement and sometimes recklessness that (dopamine/serotonin) can produce.

Serotonin dopamine

Define: Masturbation

Sexual self-stimulation, usually achieved by touching, stroking, or massaging the male or female genitals until this triggers an orgasm

Define: Limbic system

Structures in the brain (including the amygdala) that involve processing emotional experience and social information and determining rewards and punishments; develops years before the prefrontal cortex.

What term is this? The primary male sex hormone that plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair. Females also produce testosterone, but at lower level than males

Testosterone

What is body dissatisfaction?

The concept of a person being unhappy with their own image or appearance It is associated with body mass, low self-esteem, and atypical eating patterns.

Define: Gonadarche

The earliest gonadal changes of puberty. In response to pituitary gonadotropins, the ovaries in girls and the testes in boys begin to grow and increase the production of the sex steroids, especially estradiol and testosterone

What part of the brain is involved in impulse control, planning, higher order thinking, and engages in longer-term perspective?

The frontal lobes

What part of the brain perceives rewards from risk?

The limbic system

The (limbic system/prefrontal cortex) kicks into high gear in early adolescence.

The limbic system - develops first The prefrontal cortex - develops later

What is one of the reasons for poor nutrition in teens?

Their anxiety about body image

Women with eating disorders, when compared with healthy women, have (differences/similarities) in the patterns of their brain activity.

differences

Define: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

diseases that are spread by sexual contact, including syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS

According to Sigmund Freud, adolescents are in what stage of psychosexual development?

genital stage

What stage of psychosexual development is the last stage and is considered the highest level of maturity? In this stage, a person's concern shifts from primary-drive gratification (called ____________) to applying secondary process-thinking (called ____________) in order to gratify desire symbolically and intellectually by means of friendships, intimate relationships, and family and adult responsibilities.

genital stage instinct; knowledgeable

The male and female gonads are activated by the surge of hormones during the (gonadarche/adrenarche) stage of puberty? (This puts them into a state of rapid growth and development.)

gonadarche

Some of the most developmentally significant changes in the brain occur where? Which is involved in what functions?

in the prefrontal cortex decision making and cognitive control, as well as other higher cognitive functions.

During adolescence, myelination and synaptic pruning (where?) increases, improving the efficiency of ____________ processing, and ___________ connections between ___________ and other regions of the brain are strengthened.

in the prefrontal cortex information; neural the prefrontal cortex

Serotonin levels (decrease/increase) in the limbic system during adolescence.

increase

During adolescence, dopamine levels in the limbic system (decrease/increase) and input of dopamine to the prefrontal cortex (decreases/increases).

increase; increases

Erections can occur as early as?

infancy

Pregnancy is biologically possible with menarche, but ovulation and menstruation are often (regular/irregular) for years after menarche.

irregular

When the overall brain chemical system is working well between the dopamine & serotonin neurotransmitters, there (is/is not) a balance between extreme behaviors.

is

Development in the __________ system plays an important role in determining rewards and punishments and processing emotional experience and social information.

limbic

15 year old Connor doesn't have his driver's license yet, but he jumps at the chance to race his friend's car. The thrill of taking this risk outweighs any long term consequences for Connor, which could be partly due to the fact that during adolescence, the ________ matures before the ________ in the brain.

limbic system prefrontal cortex

Muscle dysmorphia is common in what gender?

males

During the genital stage, the ego and superego have become (more/less) developed.

more

Guidance is certainly needed, but acknowledging that adolescent sexuality development is both normal and positive would allow for (less/more) open communication. This way, adolescents can be more receptive to education concerning the risks.

more

The difference in timing of the development of the different regions of the brain contribute to?

more risk taking during middle adolescence (Young people need to somewhat enjoy the thrill of risk taking in order to complete the incredibly overwhelming task of growing up.)

What shapes actual sexual behaviors? However, ________ are the most influential in teens' emotions regarding sexual experience.

our culture our peer

During puberty, the adolescent's hormonal balance shifts strongly towards an adult state. The process is triggered by the _________ gland, which does what?

pituitary; secretes a surge of hormonal agents into the blood stream and initiates a chain reaction.

The ___(section of the brain)___ is involved with decision making, cognitive control, and other higher order functions; it is still maturing into early adulthood.

prefrontal cortex

What hormone do the testes primarily release? What hormone do the ovaries primarily release? The production of these hormones increases gradually until ?

testosterone estrogen sexual maturation is met

Pubertal changes are driven by hormones. Boys = _________ Girls = __________

testosterone estrogen

The most important influence on adolescents' sexual activity is not their bodies, but __________.

their close friends

Pubertal hormones target the ___(part of the brain)___ directly and powerful sensations become compelling.

amygdala

What eating disorder is the following? An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation. Affected individuals voluntarily undereat and often overexercise, depriving their vital organs of nutrition. Can be fatal.

anorexia nervosa

The vast majority of young adolescents (are/are not) prepared emotionally or physically for oral sex and sexual intercourse. If adolescents this young do have sex, they are highly vulnerable to what 3 things?

are not 1. Sexual abuse 2. Emotional abuse 3. STIs

Define: Spermarche

A boy's first ejaculation of sperm.

Define: Body image

A person's idea of how his or her body looks

Define: Melatonin

Sleep hormone

When are teens often drowsy? When are teens often tired? When are teens often wakeful?

upon waking during the day at night

Define: Muscle dysmorphia

An extreme concern with becoming more muscular.

What term is this? Primary female sex hormone that is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics

Estrogen

Up until puberty, brain cells continue to bloom in the ________ region.

frontal

Define: Self-integration

A cohesive picture of one's self, not a contextually-dependent self. The process during which both the individual and collective unconscious are integrated into the personality. Integration is a positive psychological development that indicates psychological maturity and may help an individual move past negative habits.

What is the Maudsley Approach?

A family therapy for the treatment of anorexia nervosa

Define: Menarche

A girl's first menstrual period which signals that she has begun ovulation.

Define: Dopamine

A neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure and attuning to the environment during decision-making.

Define: Amygdala

A part of the limbic system in the brain, which is involved with emotions and emotional responses and is particularly active during puberty.

Define: Adrenarche

A process that precedes gonadarche (it is a process that is loosely associated with puberty). A process that involves an increase in the production of androgens by the adrenal cortex (involved in the development of secondary sex characteristics like: pubic hair, body odor, skin oiliness, and acne)

Define: Growth spurt

A rapid increase in the individual's height and weight during puberty resulting from simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and androgens.

Define: Gonad

A sex organ that produces gametes

As typical adolescent girls, Jackie and her friends have poor nutritional habits. A major reason for adolescents' poor nutritional habits is? A. Anxiety about their body image. B. Altered taste buds due to hormonal surges. C. Misunderstanding about what is and is not healthy food. D. Lack of media attention to the importance of good nutrition.

A. Anxiety about their body image.

Changes associated with puberty are triggered by hormones. A. Physical B. Cognitive C. Psychosocial

A. Physical

Roberto and his adolescent classmates are learning about sexual development in their school health class. Which one of the following statements is true according to current theory and research? A. Healthy sexual development only involves sexual behavior. B. Peer pressure is the main reason reported by young teens for early sexual intercourse. C. Early teen sexual intercourse cannot result in pregnancy. D. Sexual fantasy and masturbation begins in the late teens.

B. Peer pressure is the main reason reported by young teens for early sexual intercourse.

BASURA

BASURA

Why do teens in mid-adolescence take more risks than older teens?

Because in mid-adolescent teens, the limbic system develops first (involved with rewards and risks) so they are more likely to take more risks. When they are older teens, the frontal lobes develop (involved in control impulses) so they are less likely to "act out."

Why do many teens stay up late and struggle with getting up in the morning?

Because melatonin (sleep hormone) levels in the blood naturally rise later at night and fall later in the morning

When does the genital stage begin and end?

Begins: puberty Ends: death

_____________ can explain why many teens, mostly girls, eat erratically or ingest diet pills to lose weight and why boys may take steroids to increase their muscle mass.

Body dissatisfaction

What eating disorder is the following? An eating disorder characterized by binge eating and subsequent purging, usually by induced vomiting and/or use of laxatives.

Bulimia nervosa

Changes in relationships with parents, peers, and romantic partners. A. Physical B. Cognitive C. Psychosocial

C. Psychosocial

(Early/Later) maturing boys are at a greater risk for substance abuse and early sexual activity.

Early

(Early/Later) maturing girls are at risk of a range of psychosocial problems including depression, substance use, early sexual behavior, and higher risk for eating disorders.

Early

(Early/Late) development for girls and (early/late) development for boys present the greatest challenges to healthy body image.

Early; late

(Healthy/Unhealthy) adult relationships are more likely to develop when adolescent impulses are not shamed or feared.

Healthy

When stress, arousal or sensations become extreme, what happens to the adolescent brain?

It is flooded with impulses that overwhelm the prefrontal cortex, and as a result, adolescents engage in increased risk-taking behaviors and emotional outbursts.

___________ involves distinctive physiological changes in an individual's height, weight, body composition, and circulatory and respiratory systems.

Puberty

____________ is the period of rapid growth and sexual development that begins in adolescence and starts at some point between ages 8 and 14.

Puberty

(Primary/Secondary) sex characteristics are not required for reproduction, but they do signify masculinity and femininity. At birth, boys and girls have similar body shapes, but during puberty, (females/males) widen at the shoulders and (females/males) widen at the hips and develop breasts.

Secondary males; females

(T/F): Adolescence is frequently portrayed as a negative stage of life—a period of storm and stress to be survived or endured.

True

(T/F): Adolescents are more prone to risky behaviors than are children or adults.

True

(T/F): Adolescents are often characterized as impulsive, reckless and emotionally unstable. This tends to be attributed to "raging hormones" or what is now known as the "teen brain."

True

(T/F): Both nature (i.e., genes) and nurture (e.g., nutrition, medications, and medical conditions) can influence both height and weight.

True

(T/F): Brain development even affects the way teens sleep.

True

(T/F): Eating disorders appear to run in families.

True

(T/F): Puberty can be a source of pride or embarrassment.

True

(T/F): Teens need more sleep than children and adults.

True

(T/F): The following are all possible causes of eating disorders: Complex interaction of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors.

True

(T/F): The prefrontal cortex is part of the frontal lobes.

True

Is risky behavior during adolescence a normal part of development?

Yes, it reflects a biologically driven need for exploration - a process aimed at acquiring experience and preparing teens for the complex decisions they will need to make as adults

What eating disorder is the following? An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the excessive eating state; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures (e.g., purging) to counter the excessive eating.

binge-eating disorder

What is the most common eating disorder in the United States?

binge-eating disorder

Negative feelings are particularly a problem for late maturing (girls/boys), who are at a higher risk for depression and conflict with parents and more likely to be bullied.

boys

According to Freud, the genital stage is similar to the phallic stage, in that its main concern is the genitalia; however, sexual desires are now?

conscious

The increased (dopamine/serotonin) activity in adolescence may have implications for adolescent risk-taking and vulnerability to boredom.

dopamine

What are 2 neurotransmitters in the limbic system that make adolescents more emotional and more responsive to rewards and stress?

dopamine and serotonin

What signals sperm production?

ejaculation

During puberty, males grow muscle much (slower/faster) than females, and females experience a (lower/higher) increase in body fat and bones become harder and more brittle.

faster; higher

Every person's individual timetable for puberty is different and is primarily influenced by ________________ and secondarily by _____________.

heredity; environmental factors (such as diet and exercise)

The changes that occur during puberty are largely influenced by ___________- activity.

hormonal

If there is a defect in the (dopamine/serotonin) processing in the brain, impulsive or violent behavior can result.

serotonin

As the sex hormones cause biological changes, they also affect the brain and trigger what?

sexual thoughts

For STI's in particular, adolescents are (slower/faster) to recognize symptoms, tell partners, and get medical treatment, which puts them at risk of infertility and even death.

slower