PSYC 1010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11.3-4: Secondary Sex Characteristic, Menarche, Personality Development

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1010
• Professor: Myriam Mongrain

Document Summary

Pubescence - the two year span preceding puberty during which the changes leading to physical and sexual maturity take place. Secondary sex characteristics - physical features that are associated with gender but that are not directly involved in reproduction. Puberty - the period of early adolescence marked by rapid physical growth and the development of sexual - reproductive - memory. Primary sex characteristics: the sexual structures necessary for reproduction- develop during puberty. Reflects the culmination of a series of hormonal changes. The occurrence of identity crisis and exploration and the development of personal commitments can combine into 4 possible identity statuses. The growth spurt at puberty is a prominent event involving the development of reproductive maturity and secondary sex characteristics. Adolescent suicide rates have climbed dramatically in recent decades, and attempted suicides have increased even more. Offers some clues about the nature of changes people can expect. Key concern - whether one can develop the capacity to share.