1. 9-1
Physical and Cognitive Development in
Adolescence

2. 9-2
A. Physical Maturation
Extreme changes in height and weight are common
The adolescent growth spurt
I. Physical Development

3. 9-3
1. Puberty
Is not adolescence but marks “beginning.” Which ends first?
Why?
Sexual organs mature
Androgens
Estrogens
Menarche
Cultural trends
Secular trends
Timing and
reciprocal determinism

4. 9-4

5. 9-5
2. Primary Sex Characteristics
–The organs and structures related to sex and reproduction
Contrast with secondary sex characteristics: Visible signs of maturity [?]

6. 9-6
3. Sexual Maturation
The changes in sexual maturation that occur for males and
females during early adulthood.
Interaction of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland,
and the gonads

7. 9-7
4. Secondary Sex Characteristics
Female
• Deposition of fat in the breasts; in
buttocks and thighs
• Broadening of the pelvic hip bones.
• Dev’t of soft and smooth skin.
• Pubic hair and armpit hair.
• Onset of menstruation
• Maturation of ova
Role:
• Produce ova and receive sperm
• Carry fetus to full term
Male
• Longer, heavier bones
• Larger muscles
• Thicker, tougher skin
• Deep voice
• Body hair, esp on face and
chest
• Development of pubic hair
How is body image related to timing of puberty
for boys/girls?

8. 9-8
5. Reproductive Systems
Differentiation
Take note of analogous structures

9. 9-9
Reproductive Systems

10. 9-10
B. Nutrition, Food & Eating Disorders
During Adolescence
Focus on food and eating disorders become more
common during adolescence.

11. 9-11
Psychological consequences of
adolescent obesity
Potential health consequences
High blood pressure; diabetes; 70-
80% will become obese adults.
Nutrition, Food & Eating Disorders During
Adolescence

12. 9-12
C. Anorexia Nervosa , Bulimia Nervosa,
Binge Eating Disorder

13. 9-13
Warning Signs?
C. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia

14. 9-14
Eating Disorders:
Treatment
Involves multiple approaches.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive-behavioral techniques
Dietary modifications
Stress management

15. 9-15
II. Brain Development

16. 9-16
Brain Development

17. 9-17
Brain Development

18. 9-18
III. Cognitive Development and Schooling
A. Piaget and Formal Operations
• Abstract; logical; full of idealism and possibilities
Hypothetico-deductive reasoning – a general theory leads to
deductive explanations (hypothesis > deduction of
implications)
Propositional thought (next)

19. 9-19
Evaluating Piaget’s Approach
Universal?
Continuous?
Underestimated skills
Piaget focused only on thinking and knowing, missing
other kinds of intelligence.
Contrast Piaget with?…

20. 9-20
B. Information Processing Perspectives
Executive functioning.
metacognition

21. 9-21
C. Adolescent Egocentrism
• Increase in
self-consciousness
• Elkind (1976):
• Personal fable
• Imaginary audience

22. 9-22
D. School Performance
While cognitive abilities
increase, school performance
tends to decline.
Why?
Strong relationship between
educational achievement and
(SES)

23. 9-23
High School Graduation Rates
The U.S. had high
graduation rates,
but those rates are
dropping
compared to other
industrialized
nations.


24. 9-24

25. 9-25
Achievement Test Results
Other Factors

26. 9-26
Achievement Test Results
National Assessment of Educational Progress

27. 9-27
Achievement Test Results
National Assessment of Educational Progress

28. 9-28
Achievement Test Results
National Assessment of Educational Progress

29. 9-29
Achievement Test Results
National Assessment of Educational Progress

30. 9-30
Achievement Test Results
http://dailynews.com/search/ci_3158580

31. 9-31
Achievement Test Results
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-schools28mar28,1,2485838.story?page=2

32. 9-32
IV. Issues in Adolescent
Health
Behaviors linked to poor health habits and early death in
adults often begin during adolescence
Early behavior patterns
Change has immediate health benefits
Change also delays or prevents disability and mortality
Compared to other countries > less active, more junk food,
more fried food, less fruits and vegetables.
Half of teenagers get inadequate sleep > cranky, irritable, fall
asleep in school, dep’d, more caffeine than past generations;
some evidence of hormonal changes due to changes in
circadian rhythms.
A. Exercise, nutrition

33. 9-33
IV. Issues in Adolescent
Health
Almost 20 % of eighth
graders and close to 40 % of
seniors said they had
smoked marijuana at least
once in the last year.
More than half of high school
seniors have used an illegal
drug at least once in their
lives.
Use has been declining
since late 90s
B. Drugs

34. 9-34
Threats to Adolescent Well-Being

35. 9-35
C. Alcohol
~75% of high school students reported having consumed an
alcoholic drink in the past year
~75% of college students report that they have consumed at
least one alcoholic drink during the last 30 days.
40+% have had 5+ drinks in the last 2 weeks
16% drink 16 or more drinks each week.

36. 9-36
C. Alcohol
~75% of high school students reported having consumed an
alcoholic drink in the past year
~75% of college students report that they have consumed at
least one alcoholic drink during the last 30 days.
40+% have had 5+ drinks in the last 2 weeks
16% drink 16 or more drinks each week.

37. 9-37
Alcohol
Binge drinking
5+ for men; 4 for women.
~50% of male college
students & ~40% of
females in the previous 2
weeks.
“A University of Michigan student died this morning
after drinking 20 shots of whiskey in ten
minutes…”
“Nine students were hospitalized with BAC levels
ranging from .12 to .35 percent.”

38. 9-38
Binge Drinking
College students

39. 9-39
Addiction

40. 9-40
Parents and peers
Factors related to increased use:
Drinking before age 14
Not having positive relationships with parents and
other mentor figures
Friends who use substances

41. 9-41
D. Tobacco
Reported daily smoking:
2.7% 8th graders
11.2% 12th
Use peaked in mid 90s and has gradually
declined.

42. 9-42
E. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
About 25% of sexually active teens
AIDS
Chlamydia
Genital Warts
(human papilloma virus)
Genital Herpes
Trichomoniasis
Gonorrhea
Syphilis (next)

43. 9-43
Syphilis
Third most common STD (after gonorrhea and
Chlamydia
Congenital syphilis in the United States

44. 9-44
AIDS

45. 9-45
AIDS Around the World

46. 9-46
AIDS Around the World

47. 9-47
AIDS Around the World

48. 9-48
Use condoms.
Avoid high risk behaviors.
Know your partner’s sexual
history.
Consider abstinence?
Prevention

49. 9-49
Homicide

50. 9-50
Homicide
Trends in Homicide Rates Among Persons Ages 10-24 Years,
by Race/Ethnicity, 1991–2007

51. 9-51
Mental Health Issues [and next]
Depression
• Girls consistently higher rates than boys
• Family factors [?] increase risk
• Problems in romantic relationships increase risk

52. 9-52
Suicide
3rd leading cause of teenage death
1. Withdrawal from contact with others
2. Sudden swings in mood
3. Recent occurrence of a life crisis or emotional
shock
4. Personality change
5. Gift-giving of cherished belongings
6. Depression and helplessness
7. Aggression and/or risk taking
8. Threats to commit suicide
Escalates in adolescence and young adulthood

53. 9-53
Suicide
Girls > Boys; Girls < Boys

54. 9-54
Suicide

55. 9-55
Suicide