Psychology-Adolescence

Spermarche

a boy's first ejaculation of sperm. Erections can occur as early as infancy, but ejaculation signals sperm production. Spermarche may occur during sleep (nocturnal emission or "wet dream") or via direct stimulation

dopamine

a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with

during puberty

adolescents hormonal balance shifts strongly towards an adult state, triggered by the pituitary gland, which secretes a surge of hormonal agents in the blood stream and initates a chain reaction

Puberty occurs over two distinct phases

adrenarche and gonadarche

adrenarche

an increase in the production of androgens by the adrenal cortex that usually occurs during the eighth or ninth year of life and typically peaks at around 10 to 14 years of age and is eventually involved in the development of pubic hair, body odor, skin oiliness, and acne begins at 6 to 8, involves increased production of adrenal androgens, that contribute to a number of pubertal changes, such as skeletal growth

Hormonaly activity

changes in hormones which are secreted by the adrenal and sex glands, can contribute to the beginning of puberty

synaptic pruning

connections in the brain that are not used much are lost so that other connections can be strengthened; this pruning happens with prefrontal cortex connections in adolescence

But that doesn't mean your brain is done maturing

for both boys and girls, brain doesnt finish developing and maturing until your mid to late 20s

Your brain does not keep getting bigger as you get older

girls-largest physcial size at 11 years boys-around age 14

during adolescence

myelination and synaptic pruning in the prefrontal cortex increases, improving the efficiency of information processing and neural connections between the prefrontal cortex and other regions of the brain

prefrontal cortex

part of the frontal lobes, involved with decision making, cognitive control, and other higher order functions; prefrontal cortex develops further during adolescence

amygdala

part of the limbic system in the brain, which is involved with emotions and emotional responses and is particularly active during puberty Recall that this area is responsible for judgment, impulse control, and planning, and it is still maturing into early adulthood

melatonin

sleep hormone sleep hormone whose levels rise later at night and decrease later in the morning for teens, compared to children and adults

myelination

sleep hormone whose levels rise later at night and decrease later in the morning for teens, compared to children and adults

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

body dissatisfaction

the concept of a person being unhappy with their own image or appearance -often associated with body mass, low self esteem, and typical eating patterns

serotonin

"calming chemical," a neurotransmitter in the brain involved with the regulation of mood and behavior; serotonin levels increase in the limbic system during adolescence

Physical Growth: The Growth Spurt

-During puberty, both sexes experience a rapid increase in height and weight (referred to as a growth spurt) over about 2-3 years resulting from the simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and androgens. Males experience their growth spurt about two years later than females. For girls the growth spurt begins between 8 and 13 years old (average 10-11), with adult height reached between 10 and 16 years old. Boys begin their growth spurt slightly later, usually between 10 and 16 years old (average 12-13), and reach their adult height between 13 and 17 years old. Both nature (i.e., genes) and nurture (e.g., nutrition, medications, and medical conditions) can influence both height and weight.Before puberty, there are nearly no differences between males and females in the distribution of fat and muscle. During puberty, males grow muscle much faster than females, and females experience a higher increase in body fat and bones become harder and more brittle. An adolescent's heart and lungs increase in both size and capacity during puberty; these changes contribute to increased strength and tolerance for exercise.

anorexia nervosa

-abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which increases risk for heart failure -reduction in bone density (Osteoporosis), muscle loss and weakness, sever dehydration, fainting, fatigue and overall weakness -highest mortality rate due to complications of starvation, while others die of suicide

Major changes in female

-acne appears -armpit hair grows -breasts develop -uterus grows bigger -menarche (menstruation begins) -pubic hair grows -body shape rounds

Major changes in males during puberty

-hairline begins to recede -acne appears -facial hair grows -larynx gets bigger (voice deepens) -armpit hair grows -pubic hair grows -penis, prostate, and seminal vesicles grow bigger -muscles develop

Brain Development During Adolescence

-not fully developed by the time a person reaches puberty -brain reaches 90% of its adult size by the tie a person is six or seven -biggest change in the folds of brain is in the cortex that process cognitive and emotional information

Many mental disorders appear during adolescence

All the big changes the brain is experiencing may explain why adolescence is the time when many mental disorders—such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders—emerge.

Early maturation

Early maturing girls may be teased or overtly admired, which can cause them to feel self-conscious about their developing bodies. These girls are at increased risk of a range of psychosocial problems including depression, substance use and early sexual behavior (Graber, 2013).[6] These girls are also at a higher risk for eating disorders, which we will discuss in more detail later in this module (Ge, Conger, & Elder, 2001; Graber, Lewinsohn, Seeley, & Brooks-Gunn, 1997; Striegel-Moore & Cachelin, 1999).

Late bloomers

Late blooming boys and girls (i.e., they develop more slowly than their peers) may feel self-conscious about their lack of physical development. Negative feelings are particularly a problem for late maturing boys, who are at a higher risk for depression and conflict with parents (Graber et al., 1997) and more likely to be bullied (Pollack & Shuster, 2000).

Gonads

The male and female gonads are activated by the surge of the hormones discussed earlier, which puts them into a state of rapid growth and development. The testes primarily release testosterone and the ovaries release estrogen; the production of these hormones increases gradually until sexual maturation is met.

Secondary sex characteristics

physical traits that are not directly involved in reproduction but that indicate sexual maturity, such as a man's beard or a woman's breasts physical signs of sexual maturation that do not directly involve sex organs, such as development of breasts and hips in girls, and development o facial hair and a deepened voice in boys.

Estrogen

primary female sex hormone that is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics

organizational role

priming the body to behave in a certain way once puberty begins

Emerging adulthood

prolonging of adolescence, that captures these developmental changes out of adolescence and into adulthood, occurring from approximately ages 18-29

Growth spurt

rapid increase in the individual's height and weight during puberty resulting from simultaneous release of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and androgens. Males experience their growth spurt about two years later, on average, than females

gonadarche

refers to 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 begins several years later and involves increased production of hormones governing physical and sexual maturation

Primary sex characteristics

the parts of the body that are directly involved in reproduction, including the vagina, uterus, ovaries, testicles, and penis are organs specifically neeed for reproduction-the uterus and ovaries in females and testes in males

Puberty

the period of rapid growth and sexual development that begins in adolescence and starts at some point between ages 8 and 14 -timetable of puberty is different and is primarily influenced by heredity; environmental factros-such as diet and exercise also exert some influence -todays average girls: 10-11 years boys: 11-12

testosterone

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

activational role

triggering certain behavioral and physical changes

Prefrontal cortex

which is invloved in deision making and cognitive ocntrol, as well as other higher cognitive functions