PSYC 2076 Lecture : Final Notes
Document Summary
To agree with your text, lets say adolescence begins around age 9. Puberty physical changes that result in reproductive maturity. Define end of adolescence as 18: most physical growth is over, legal definition (adult at age 18, social, psychological aspects of high school graduation. Physical growth during adolescence is more rapid than at any other time except infancy. Puberty begins when the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release hormones (thyroid, gonads, adrenals). Puberty begins for females at around 10. 5 for males and 11. 5 for males, and ends when males and females are sexually mature, capable of begetting or bearing children. Menarche a young lady"s first menstrual cycle (average age ~12. 5) Secular trend - tendency of each succeeding generation to mature faster and grow larger than preceding generations. Boys" growth spurt at 14 years old, about 3 per year. Girls" growth spurt at 12 years old, about 3 per year. Head one of the last parts to reach adult size.
