PSYC 105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Sex Organ, Secondary Sex Characteristic, Anne Frank
Puberty
“I think that what is happening to me is so wonderful and not only
what can be seen on my body, but all that is taking place inside. I
never discuss myself with anybody; that is why I have to talk to
myself about them.” --Anne Frank
Hormones & Puberty
• Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland
– growth hormone ↑ which causes growth spurt
– ovaries and testes release gonadotrophins (sex hormones)
• males: testosterone
• females: estrogen and progesterone
• hormonesstimulate
– growth of primary sexual characteristics (genital)
– growth of secondary sexual characteristics (non-genital) –
precursors to adult sexuality
Sex Differences in Puberty
• Growthspurtbegins
– 10.5 years in girls
– 12.5 years in boys
– girls taller than boys between ages 11-13 years
• fulladultheight
– 17 years old in girls – 21 years old in boys
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• Menarche: first menstrual cycle
– typically occurs by age 12-13
– initially may involve anovulatory, irregular cycles
• Spermarche: first ejaculation – typically occurs by age 15 –
initial period of sterility
• Puberty marks an increased incidence of internalizing
disorders in girls compared to boys (Haward & Sanborn,
2002; Kessler, 2003)
• Due to hormones? Environmental variables? Pregnancy?
• Is depression adaptive? (Nesse, 2000)
Precocious and Delayed Puberty
• Girls who enter puberty early more likely to have teen
pregnancy
• girls who have teen pregnancy, more likely to have
daughters with teen pregnancy
• Vandenbergh Effect
– male present --> earlier onset of puberty
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Document Summary
I think that what is happening to me is so wonderful and not only what can be seen on my body, but all that is taking place inside. I never discuss myself with anybody; that is why i have to talk to myself about them. --anne frank. Hormones & puberty: hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland. Growth hormone which causes growth spurt. Ovaries and testes release gonadotrophins (sex hormones: males: testosterone, females: estrogen and progesterone, hormonesstimulate. Growth of secondary sexual characteristics (non-genital) precursors to adult sexuality. Girls taller than boys between ages 11-13 years fulladultheight. 17 years old in girls 21 years old in boys: menarche: first menstrual cycle. Initially may involve anovulatory, irregular cycles: spermarche: first ejaculation typically occurs by age 15 initial period of sterility, puberty marks an increased incidence of internalizing disorders in girls compared to boys (haward & sanborn,