This document discusses adolescent physical and cognitive development between the ages of 10-20. It describes the physical changes of puberty including growth spurts and development of secondary sex characteristics. Cognitive development includes increased formal operational thought and potential for egocentrism. Identity formation is an important task, and teens may experience a search for identity through cliques or experimentation. Physical, cognitive, and social changes during this period can bring stress but also increased abilities.

2. Adolescence
 Period of life between
age 10 and 20 when a
person is transformed
from a child into an
adult.

3. Physical Changes
 Growth Spurt – Rapid
increase in height and
weight that begins, on
average, at about 10 in
girls and 12 in boys.
 Begin to compare
yourself to celebrities,
models, etc.

4. Physical Changes
 Puberty – The onset of
sexual maturation at ages
12-13.
 Sexual organs develop
rapidly
 Menstrual cycle begins
in girls
 Not when sexual
attraction first begins.

5.  Puberty is the period of sexual maturation, during which a
person becomes capable of reproduction
 Begins with
 First ejaculation for boys
 First menstrual period, or menarche, for girls
Puberty

6.  Follows a surge of hormones which:
 May intensify mood
 Triggers a 2 year period of rapid physical development
 Begins at age 11 for girls and age 13 for boys
 Boys experience a growth spurt, and grow taller than girls
Puberty

7.  Primary Sex Characteristics
 Reproductive organs and external genitalia develop
dramatically
 Secondary Sex Characteristics
 Nonreproductive traits develop
 Breasts and hips in girls
 Facial hair and deepened voice in boys
 Underarm and pubic hair in both
Puberty

8.  Boys and girls first feel attraction towards each other a
year or two before puberty
 Puberty begins at different ages for different
individuals
 Early or late development can have psychological
consequences
 Adolescents brain is still developing
 Brings improved judgment, impulse control, and the
ability to plan for the long term
Puberty

9. Physical Changes
 Early and Late Developers
 Adolescents develop at varied rates.

10. Physical Changes
 Adolescent Sexual Activity
 Capacity to reproduce is the single most important
development for adolescents.
 Confusing for many
 Changes in sexual customs in the last 50 years
 Average age Boys: 16
 Average age Girls: 17

11. Physical Changes
 Teen Pregnancy and
Childbearing
 Declined dramatically in
the last 50 years
 U.S. highest in
industrialized world
 Can be devastating for
mother
 Research shows:
 Low birth weight
 Higher illness rate
 Neurological problems

12. Cognitive Changes
 Some reach formal operational stage
 Manipulate abstract concepts
 Speculate about alternative possibilities
 Reason in hypothetical terms

13. Cognitive Changes
 Formal Operational Stage
leads to:
 Egocentrism and feelings
of invincibility
 Imaginary Audience -
Tendency to feel they are
constantly being watched
and judged by others.
 Personal Fable –
Unrealistic sense of their
own uniqueness.

14.  At the top of a blank, white sheet of paper write:
“Adolescent Physical and Cognitive Development
Graphic Organizer”
 Create a graphic organizer for adolescent physical and
cognitive development.
Activity
Adolescent
Development
Cognitive
Development
Physical
Development

15. Personality and Social
Development
 Stormy and Stressful?
 Not so much
 Most teens claim to
have healthy, happy, and
un-disruptive lives.
 Degree of stress varies
between each
individual.

16. Forming Identity
 Erik Erikson and James Marcia
 Identity vs. Role Confusion
 Who am I?
 Failure to form identity during adolescence leads to
confusion, stress, and poor self esteem.

17. Forming an Identity
 Identity Crisis – Period of self exploration.
 4 possible outcomes
 Identity Achievement – Know who you are.
 Identity Foreclosure – Settle on identity others have
chosen for you.
 Moratorium – Have not settled yet.
 Identity Diffusion – Avoid finding an identity or role.
 Often leads to alcohol and drug addiction.

18. Problems in Adolescence
 Cliques
 Relationships with
parents
 Declines in self esteem
 Depression and Suicide
 Youth Violence

19.  Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of
paper titled “Clique Activity”.
 How do you identify yourself at Gateway High School?
 Do you identify with a specific clique or group?
 Have you always identified yourself with that clique or
group?
 Do your friends influence what group or clique you
belong too?
 Do all you friends belong to the same clique or group?
 Do you parents influence who your friends are, or what
clique you belong too?
Individual Questions

20. What is a clique?
Are there cliques at Gateway High School?
What cliques are there at GHS?
Activity

21.  As a team discuss and record your responses to the
following questions. Be honest and respectful.
1.What is your clique called?
2.Why do you belong to this clique?
3.How do you perceive yourselves and your clique?
4.How do others perceive you and your clique?
5.What are the positive attributes of your clique?
6.What are the negatives attributes?
7.Does race or culture play a factor?
Team Questions (5 Minutes)