Developmental Psychology - Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence

The Nature Of Adolescence  

6. Onset of maximum growth in height and

weight 

Adolescence

7. Growth of hair in armpits 

- it is a transitional period in the human life 

8. More detectable voice changes 

span, linking childhood and adulthood. 

9. Growth of facial hair 

Factors that influence adolescent development: 

Female Pubertal Characteristics (Typical) Development

Order: 

1. Genetic/Biological Factors 

Storm-and-Stress

➢ 

2. Environmental/Social Factors

- it is a view that adolescence is a

turbulent time charged with conflict and mood swings.

At least 73% of the adolescents displayed a healthy

image. 

1. Either the breasts enlarge or pubic hair appears. 

2. Hair appears in the armpits 

3. Grows in height

4. Hips become wider than the shoulder 

5. First menstruation (Menarche) 

➢ 

PUBERTAL GROWTH SPURT. 

Public attitudes about adolescence emerge from a

combination of personal experience and media

portrayals, neither of which produces an objective

picture of how normal adolescents develop. 

6. Female's breasts have become more fully

rounded

On average, the peak of the

growth spurt during puberty occurs two years earlier for

girls (11½) than for boys (13½). 

➢ 

➢ 

Ethnic, cultural, gender, socioeconomic, age, and

lifestyle differences influence the actual life

trajectory of each adolescent. 

During early adolescence, girls tend to outweigh

boys, but by about age 14 boys begin to surpass

girls. 

Social Policy

- it is the course of action designed by the 

national government to influence the welfare of its

citizens. 

➢ 

Caring Adults

- they can serve as role models, 

Similarly, at the beginning of the adolescent period,

girls tend to be as tall as or taller than boys of their

age, but by the end of the middle school years most

boys have caught up or, in many cases, surpassed

girls in height. 

confidants, advocates, and resources (e.g., coaches,

neighbors, teachers, mentors, and after-school leaders). 

→ 

HORMONAL CHANGES.

Hormones

Relationships with caring adults are powerful

when youth know they are respected, that they

matter to the adult, and that the adult wants to

be a resource in their lives. 

- powerful chemical substances secreted by 

the endocrine glands and carried through the body by

the bloodstream. 

→ 

Physical Changes 

Behind the first whisker in boys and the

widening of hips in girls is a flood of hormones. 

Testosterone

PUBERTY

Puberty

- it is a hormone associated in boys with 

genital development, increased height, and deepening

of the voice. 

- it is a brain-neuroendocrine process occurring 

primarily in early adolescence that provides stimulation

for the rapid physical changes that take place during

this period of development. 

Estradiol

- it is a type of estrogen that in girls is 

associated with breast, uterine, and skeletal

development. 

SEXUAL MATURATION, HEIGHT, & WEIGHT.

Male Pubertal Characteristics (Typical) Development Order:  

→ 

Both testosterone and estradiol are present in

the hormonal makeup of both boys and girls, 

→ 

1. 

Increase in penis and testicle size 

2. Appearance of straight pubic hair 

However, testosterone dominates in male

pubertal development, estradiol in female

pubertal development. 

➢ 

3. Minor voice change

4. First ejaculation (which usually occurs through

masturbation or a wet dream) 

5. Appearance of kinky pubic hair 

The same influx of hormones that grows hair on a

male's chest and increases the fatty tissue in a

female's breasts may also contribute to

psychological development in adolescence.