What is Adolescence?
Fundamental Changes of Adolescence
) puberty
) cognitive
) social
role transitions
Contexts of Adolescent Development
Media
) Family
) Peers and Friends
) School
)
Psychosocial Issues of
Adolescence
) Identity
) Gender
Identity
) Sexuality
) Morality
Stereotypes vs
Scientific Study
) Is
adolescence an inherently
stressful time?
1
Puberty
Key developmental challenge
for adolescents
nature of these changes
timing of these changes
) psychological and social impact of these
changes
)
)
History of Research
on Puberty
) Very
little until 1980’s
) Why?
Nature of Pubertal Changes
) Height
) Weight
& Fat
) Circulatory
Systems
) Appearance
) Brain
& Respiratory
of Skin
Growth
) Sexual
Maturation
2
Height gain (cm/yr)
Pubertal Changes - Height
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Girls
Boys
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Age (Years)
30
20
Boys
10
Girls
17
15
13
11
9
0
7
Muscle mass (kg)
Pubertal Changes -muscle mass
Age (years)
20
15
Girls
10
Boys
5
17
15
13
11
9
0
7
Body fat (kg)
Pubertal Changes - Body Fat
Age (years)
3
Timing and Tempo of
Pubertal Changes
) Onset:
range
)7
- 13 years of age for girls
) 9.5 - 13.5 years of age for boys
) Interval:
range
) 1.5
)2
- 6 years for girls
- 5 years for boys
%
Ethnic Differences in Timing
example: breast development
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
White
African American
6
7
8
9 10 11 12
Age
Early vs. Late Maturing Boys
…During Adolescence
Early
Maturers
Late
Maturers
4
Early vs. Late Maturing Boys
…Later in Life
Early
Maturers
Late
Maturers
Early vs. Late Maturing Girls
…During Adolescence
Early
Maturers
Late
Maturers
Early vs. Late Maturing Girls
…Later in Life
Early
Maturers
Late
Maturers
5