Adolescence: Physical Development

1. Adolescence: Physical Development Chapter 4 Section 1 Notes

2. Adolescence • The transition between childhood and adulthood. • Adolescence- a time period of mixed abilities and responsibilities in which childlike behavior changes to adult like behavior. • There are initiation rites that admit you into adulthood. • The transition age from adolescence to adulthood can vary from person to person.

3. Theories • G. Stanley Hall • Adolescence is sort of being like an ‘animal in a cage’ – you see freedom but you do not know when it will occur or how you will handle it. • “storm and stress” – being confused, troubled, and highly frustrated. • Margaret Mead • Adolescence is a very enjoyable time in other cultures. • “storm and stress” was a product of an industrialized society.

4. Theories • Robert Havighurst • Every adolescence faces challenges in the form of development tasks that must be mastered: • Understanding and achieving socially responsible behavior • Preparing for marriage and family • Acquiring values that are harmonious and appropriate. • Most adolescence face these tasks well even though some present stress within them, but there ways to cope with these stresses.

5. Physical Development • Puberty- sexual maturation; the end of childhood and the point when reproduction is first possible. • Hormones trigger internal and external changes and produce a certain growth pattern for boys and girls. • Females = 8-10 years old • Males = 9 -16 years old • Asynchrony- the condition during adolescence where growth or maturation of bodily parts are uneven.

6. Reactions • Self-Conscious- usually seen in adolescence that is developing early or late. • Conform- Boys and girls start to conform to the age they are supposed to act by dressing and acting a certain way. • Differences in growth affect the personality. • If there is a boy who becomes more mature they become sport heroes and leaders because other boys will look up to him and girls tend to get crushes on them.