PSYC 7 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Secondary Sex Characteristic, Sexual Maturity, Menarche
Document Summary
Along with height and weight, adolescents mature sexually. Secondary sex characteristics - physical signs of maturity not directly linked to reproduction (breasts, facial, etc: mechanism of maturation. Also stimulates other glands to produce estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys. Estrogen and testosterone are present in boys and girls but in different amounts. Puberty"s timing is genetically regulated and is affected by health and nutrition. Menarche (a girl"s first period) occurs earlier in countries or ses levels where nutrition and healthcare are better. Girls start menarche earlier when stressed (when mothers had harshly punished them or had stressful relationships themselves. Stress hormone may trigger release of maturation hormones: psychological impact of puberty. Girls are more critical of their appearance and are likely to be dissatisfied. Boys are more likely to be pleased with appearance. Most displeased when falling short of an idealized masculine body image. Folk wisdom blames hormones, but not really true!
