CLD 103 Lecture 7: Human development Lecture 7

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Early Childhood Studies
• Course: CLD 103
• Professor: Rachel Caplan

Document Summary

Adolescence offers opportunities for growth in: physical dimensions, social and cognitive competence, autonomy, self-esteem, intimacy. Risky behaviours reflect immaturity of the adolescent brain. Process by which a person attains sexual maturity and the ability to reproduce. First stage of puberty occurs between ages 6 and 8. Adrenal glands located above the kidneys secrete increasing levels of androgens. Maturing of the sex organs triggers a second burst of dhea production. Increase in gendatropin releasing hormone (gnrh) leads to a rise in productive hormones. Primary sex characteristics: organs directly related to reproduction enlarge and mature during adolescence. Secondary sex characteristics: physiological signs of sexual maturation that do not involve sex organs. Adolescent growth spurt: sharp increase in height and weight that precedes sexual maturity. Co(cid:374)tri(cid:271)utio(cid:374) to pu(cid:271)ertal gro(cid:449)th: gro(cid:449)th hor(cid:373)o(cid:374)e, se(cid:454) hor(cid:373)o(cid:374)es, girls" growth spurt usually occurs 2 years earlier than that of boys. Principal sign of sexual maturity in boys is sperm production.