PSYC 2290 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Adrenal Gland, Pituitary Gland, Specific Weight

• School: University of Manitoba
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2290
• Professor: Jocelyn B.Proulx

Document Summary

First menstruation and first ejaculation occur around age 13: first (cid:373)e(cid:374)struatio(cid:374) a(cid:374)d eja(cid:272)ulatio(cid:374) is less tha(cid:374) (cid:862)(cid:374)or(cid:373)al(cid:863) The growth spurt for boys happens later in puberty but is more intense and long lasting: androgens are more prevalent in boys than girls therefore their stamina is stronger and they become taller. Bones lengthen and become denser, muscles become thicker and denser and body fat increases and redistributes. Heredity: pituitary gland releases growth hormones, and gonadotrophin hormones which triggers release of sex hormones and androgens from adrenal gland. Nutrition and exercise: once females put on a specific weight, their sex hormones get triggered and leads to sexual maturation, girls who are very thin will begin to menstruate later. Social environment: girls that come from homes with a lot of stress and conflict and mental health issues will tend to reach puberty sooner. Increased preparation for the changes in puberty is associated with better adjustment and more positive perspective.