BESC1120 Study Guide - Final Guide: Eating Disorder, Nicotine, Egg Cell
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EXAM NOTES - Developmental Psychology
For exam need to be able to…
Distinguish between different stages of lifespan development.
Distinguish between correct and incorrect facts and concepts of human development.
Identify developmental theories, perspectives and understandings to explain behaviours.
Recognise the strengths and limitations of developmental theories and perspectives.
Adolescence
Lecture 8:
Chapter 10 in Lifespan Development Textbook: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence
Adolescence = The stage of development between childhood and adulthood, from about 12 to 20 years of
age.
Physical Development
Adolescence and society:
In modern Western cultures seen as a period of gradual transition
In 19th century usual for teenagers to be engaged in full time work which resulted in an abrupt
transition from childhood to adulthood responsibilities
As education has extended in teen years, youth don’t experience adult responsibilities until early
20’s
Longer period of transition emerged, leading more gradually from childhood > adulthood.
Different for different cultures
For some the transition is marked by an event
Traditional Indigenous Australians have initiation at puberty and that signifies an abrupt social role
change to being an adult
‘youth’ is a social category rather than a biological one
Developments during adolescents are the result of interactions between biological, psychological
and social-environmental factors.
Body growth and physical changes during adolescence:
Growth spurt = a rapid change in height and weight that occurs at puberty and is preceded and
followed by years of comparatively little increase
Occurs between ages 10-14 in girls and 12-16 in boys
Puberty:
= the period of early adolescence characterised by the attainment of full physical and sexual
maturity
= a series of physical changes culminating in the completion of sexual development and signalling
reproductive maturity.
Primary sex characteristics = physical features of the organs directly related to sexual reproduction
The modifications occurring at puberty lead to the development of the sex organs that are directly
involved in reproduction (PSC)
External changes in other organs (SSC) such as breast and beard development
Secondary sex characteristics = physical features of organs or body parts not related directly to
sexual reproduction
Both characteristics are usually complete several years before the end of adolescence
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In both sexes – puberty involves release of hormone ‘gonadotrophin’ from the pituitary gland.
This hormone stimulates the male sex glands (the testes) and the female sex glands (the ovaries) to
produce sex hormones called ‘androgens’
Testosterone is the male sex hormone and Oestrogen the female sex hormone
Testosterone = a male sex hormone with high concentrations in males and low concentrations in
females
Oestrogen = a female sex hormone, with high concentrations in females and low concentrations in
males
This androgen release results in much higher levels of sex hormones in the bloodstream than in
childhood, responsible for the dramatic sexual development seen in puberty
Both male and female hormones are produced in each sex but in different proportions – so
puberty is expressed differently in males and females
In GIRLS – oestrogen secreted by the ovaries promotes the enlargement of the ovaries themselves,
the uterus, vagina and the external parts of the sex organs (labia and clitoris) – stimulates the
production of ova and regulates the menstrual cycle
Menarche = the first menstrual period signalling sexual maturity (around 12 but can be from 9-17)
Preceded by several secondary sexual changes… (brought about by increased oestrogen
production)
Breast buds – appear around age 10
Fine fuzz of pubic hair and hips start to broaden – age 11
Under arm/axillary hair – starts to grow age 12/13
Mature breasts with full sized nipple and areola and mature pubic hair – age 14/15
Voice deepens somewhat towards end of puberty – so sound more adult like
In BOYS – the increased production of the androgen testosterone brings about primary sex
characteristics
Stimulates penis and scrotum to enlarge – starting around age 12
Inside scrotum is the testes which hold the vesicles responsible for producing sperm
These also develop and begin to produce semem (the fluid that carries and nourishes the sperm)
Enlargement of the prostate gland that secretes and stores an alkaline fluid that also helps to
sustain the sperm
Spermache = first ejaculation in males signalling sexual maturity - around 13/14 but can be 10-
14yrs
Pubic hair begins around – age 12
Underarm/facial hair – age 14
Voice begins to deepen as the larynx and vocal chords increase in size
Complete about age 15 with adult sized sex organs and mature pubic hair
Variations in pubertal development:
Within any group there can be wide individual differences in the age of puberty
9-17 years for girls menache
10-14 years boys spermarche
As well as differences in the timing of puberty, also ethnic cultural and socioeconomic differences
Secular trends
Largely genetically determined – biological – eg. twins experience menache very close together
Environmental factors also have significant influence on timing of puberty – can be explained by
nutritional status (can accelerate or delay sexual maturation) and body weight / body fat have a
profound effect on the onset of puberty
Undernutrition – delays puberty
Obesity – accelerates puberty
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Document Summary
Distinguish between different stages of lifespan development. Distinguish between correct and incorrect facts and concepts of human development. Identify developmental theories, perspectives and understandings to explain behaviours. Recognise the strengths and limitations of developmental theories and perspectives. Chapter 10 in lifespan development textbook: physical and cognitive development in adolescence. Adolescence = the stage of development between childhood and adulthood, from about 12 to 20 years of age. In modern western cultures seen as a period of gradual transition. In 19th century usual for teenagers to be engaged in full time work which resulted in an abrupt transition from childhood to adulthood responsibilities. As education has extended in teen years, youth don"t experience adult responsibilities until early. Longer period of transition emerged, leading more gradually from childhood > adulthood. For some the transition is marked by an event. Traditional indigenous australians have initiation at puberty and that signifies an abrupt social role change to being an adult.
