Module 6 (PSYC 140)
Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence - answer
When does adolescence begin? - answer onset of puberty
When does it end? - answer a little more difficult to define since adolescence ends
when an adult role is assumed. In many societies today, assuming a full adult role is
frequently pushed back, usually so that educational and personal pursuits can first be
obtained.
(true or false) The idea of a transition period between childhood and adulthood did not
always exist. - answer true
Historically, children, after perhaps completing a rite of passage, were considered
adults.
However, the period of adolescence is now widely accepted, at least in most post-
industrial cultures.
The onset of adolescence is marked by what? - answer puberty
A. Puberty - answer
When does the pubertal growth spurt usually begin in early adolescence? - answerIn
North America,
the average age for growth spurt =
around age 10 for girls age 12 ½ for boys.
Girls typically finish growing by age 16
boys may continue to grow until nearly age 18.
-adolescents typically add nearly 50 percent of their adult body weight.
-muscle mass also increases at this time for both boys and girls.
-increase in muscle mass is much more notable in boys, while the female pubertal
growth spurt results in girls adding fat to their arms, legs, and trunk area.
,What triggers a domino effect to occur during puberty? - answervarious hormones being
released; these trigger the development of secondary sex characteristics.
What is considered the key regulatory center in the brain that monitors body heat,
water, nutrient levels, and regulates glands and hormones/ sexual behavior? -
answerThe hypothalamus
summary of the domino effect - answerThe hypothalamus slowly produces GnRH, or
gonadatropin-releasing hormone, beginning in middle childhood
Production really ramps up after middle childhood and is thought to be associated with
the protein leptin, which is stored in fat cells
pre-pubertal growth spurts result in pre-teens achieving a certain threshold of body fat
(approximately 19 percent of total body composition).
Leptin levels subsequently increase, and this triggers the hypothalamus to start greater
GnRH production
GNRH is then sent to the pituitary gland in the brain.
GnRH reaches the pituitary gland, it stimulates the gland to produce hormones called
gonadotropins, which include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH)
sex hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics,
such as breast development, pubic hair growth, testicular growth, etc.
FSH - answerstimulates maturation of ovarian follicles as well as aids sperm production
LH - answertriggers production of sex hormones, androgens and estrogens, into the
bloodstream.
under-weight individuals do - answernot achieving puberty
overweight individuals are - answermore likely to start puberty early.
At this point and afterward, males have _______ androgens, and females have
_______ estrogens. - answermore
more
(True / False) Adolescents vary regarding the age at which the first visible signs of
puberty occur. - answerTrue
, what are the first visible signs of secondary sexual characteristics that usually occur
around the time of the pubertal growth spurt? - answerbreast growth typically occurs
between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls
the growth of testes and the scrotal sac occurs between ages 9 ½ and 13 ½ in boys.
What is the average age of spermarche, or the age of onset for sperm emission? -
answeris now 13 in North America
What is the average age of menarche, or the first menstrual period? - answeris now 12
½
(true/ false) This is a lower average than used to occur in the 1800s and earlier
why - answertrue
Since early 20th century, average age of menarche has dropped;
although, it has now plateaued (fewer historical records are available for spermarche)
decrease in average age = secular trend, affecting most members of a society
secular trend been observed globally in countries when they modernize and have more
accessible food
improved nutrition increases critical body mass, which is what is triggering younger
menarche
role of obesity being considered in possible continuing trends.
(true/false) improved nutrition increases critical body mass, which is what is triggering
younger menarche - answertrue
How do girls respond to early and late maturation? - answerGender:
Girls
Early Maturing:
higher risk for problems such as early sexual activity, eating disorders, depression, and
poor body image.
start and stop their growth spurt before others
may attract romantic attention at a young age, but may also be more likely to be
dissatisfied with their figures
mental health problems
Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence - answer
When does adolescence begin? - answer onset of puberty
When does it end? - answer a little more difficult to define since adolescence ends
when an adult role is assumed. In many societies today, assuming a full adult role is
frequently pushed back, usually so that educational and personal pursuits can first be
obtained.
(true or false) The idea of a transition period between childhood and adulthood did not
always exist. - answer true
Historically, children, after perhaps completing a rite of passage, were considered
adults.
However, the period of adolescence is now widely accepted, at least in most post-
industrial cultures.
The onset of adolescence is marked by what? - answer puberty
A. Puberty - answer
When does the pubertal growth spurt usually begin in early adolescence? - answerIn
North America,
the average age for growth spurt =
around age 10 for girls age 12 ½ for boys.
Girls typically finish growing by age 16
boys may continue to grow until nearly age 18.
-adolescents typically add nearly 50 percent of their adult body weight.
-muscle mass also increases at this time for both boys and girls.
-increase in muscle mass is much more notable in boys, while the female pubertal
growth spurt results in girls adding fat to their arms, legs, and trunk area.
,What triggers a domino effect to occur during puberty? - answervarious hormones being
released; these trigger the development of secondary sex characteristics.
What is considered the key regulatory center in the brain that monitors body heat,
water, nutrient levels, and regulates glands and hormones/ sexual behavior? -
answerThe hypothalamus
summary of the domino effect - answerThe hypothalamus slowly produces GnRH, or
gonadatropin-releasing hormone, beginning in middle childhood
Production really ramps up after middle childhood and is thought to be associated with
the protein leptin, which is stored in fat cells
pre-pubertal growth spurts result in pre-teens achieving a certain threshold of body fat
(approximately 19 percent of total body composition).
Leptin levels subsequently increase, and this triggers the hypothalamus to start greater
GnRH production
GNRH is then sent to the pituitary gland in the brain.
GnRH reaches the pituitary gland, it stimulates the gland to produce hormones called
gonadotropins, which include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH)
sex hormones are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics,
such as breast development, pubic hair growth, testicular growth, etc.
FSH - answerstimulates maturation of ovarian follicles as well as aids sperm production
LH - answertriggers production of sex hormones, androgens and estrogens, into the
bloodstream.
under-weight individuals do - answernot achieving puberty
overweight individuals are - answermore likely to start puberty early.
At this point and afterward, males have _______ androgens, and females have
_______ estrogens. - answermore
more
(True / False) Adolescents vary regarding the age at which the first visible signs of
puberty occur. - answerTrue
, what are the first visible signs of secondary sexual characteristics that usually occur
around the time of the pubertal growth spurt? - answerbreast growth typically occurs
between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls
the growth of testes and the scrotal sac occurs between ages 9 ½ and 13 ½ in boys.
What is the average age of spermarche, or the age of onset for sperm emission? -
answeris now 13 in North America
What is the average age of menarche, or the first menstrual period? - answeris now 12
½
(true/ false) This is a lower average than used to occur in the 1800s and earlier
why - answertrue
Since early 20th century, average age of menarche has dropped;
although, it has now plateaued (fewer historical records are available for spermarche)
decrease in average age = secular trend, affecting most members of a society
secular trend been observed globally in countries when they modernize and have more
accessible food
improved nutrition increases critical body mass, which is what is triggering younger
menarche
role of obesity being considered in possible continuing trends.
(true/false) improved nutrition increases critical body mass, which is what is triggering
younger menarche - answertrue
How do girls respond to early and late maturation? - answerGender:
Girls
Early Maturing:
higher risk for problems such as early sexual activity, eating disorders, depression, and
poor body image.
start and stop their growth spurt before others
may attract romantic attention at a young age, but may also be more likely to be
dissatisfied with their figures
mental health problems
