Psychology – Adolescence and Adulthood
Psychology – Adolescence and Adulthood
Adolescence – a transition period from childhood to adult hood, extending from puberty to adulthood
Physical Development 1) Puberty: a period of sexual maturation during which one first becomes capable of reproducing a) Primary Sex Organs develop * Body structures that make sexual reproduction possible, e.g. ovaries, testes, penis b) Secondary Sex Organs develop * Non-reproductive sexual characteristics, e.g. enlarged breasts, hips, facial hair, deepened voice * Landmarks of Puberty: a) Girls * Breast development (age 10) * Menarche (age 12) * Memorable event; positive event (now a woman), mixture of feelings (excitement, embarrassment, apprehension and pride) b) Boys * First ejaculation (age 14) * Memorable event (most boys can recall their first ejaculation) * Usually occurs as a nocturnal emission(wet dream)
* Timing of Puberty and Psychological Consequences * Sequence of physical changes in puberty is more predictable than their timing * Variations may have psychological consequences a) Girls – Negative Effect * Is larger, taller * As a result: * Object of sexual attention * Have sex at an earlier age * More attention * Teased * Lower grades b) Boys – Positive Effect * Are stronger * More athletic * As a result: * More popular * Self-assured * Independent
Cognitive Development: 1) Developing reasoning power * Formal Operations Stage (Piaget – 4th) * Abstract reasoning * Deduce consequences * Reason hypothetically * Spot hypocrisy 2) Developing morality – Kohlberg * Refers to thinking that occurs as we consider right and wrong * Kohlberg posed moral dilemmas to children, adolescents and adults * Not interested in one’ moral position, but their reasons for their stance * Morality depends on cognitive stage of development * Kohlberg – as we
Adolescence – a transition period from childhood to adult hood, extending from puberty to adulthood
Physical Development 1) Puberty: a period of sexual maturation during which one first becomes capable of reproducing a) Primary Sex Organs develop * Body structures that make sexual reproduction possible, e.g. ovaries, testes, penis b) Secondary Sex Organs develop * Non-reproductive sexual characteristics, e.g. enlarged breasts, hips, facial hair, deepened voice * Landmarks of Puberty: a) Girls * Breast development (age 10) * Menarche (age 12) * Memorable event; positive event (now a woman), mixture of feelings (excitement, embarrassment, apprehension and pride) b) Boys * First ejaculation (age 14) * Memorable event (most boys can recall their first ejaculation) * Usually occurs as a nocturnal emission(wet dream)
* Timing of Puberty and Psychological Consequences * Sequence of physical changes in puberty is more predictable than their timing * Variations may have psychological consequences a) Girls – Negative Effect * Is larger, taller * As a result: * Object of sexual attention * Have sex at an earlier age * More attention * Teased * Lower grades b) Boys – Positive Effect * Are stronger * More athletic * As a result: * More popular * Self-assured * Independent
Cognitive Development: 1) Developing reasoning power * Formal Operations Stage (Piaget – 4th) * Abstract reasoning * Deduce consequences * Reason hypothetically * Spot hypocrisy 2) Developing morality – Kohlberg * Refers to thinking that occurs as we consider right and wrong * Kohlberg posed moral dilemmas to children, adolescents and adults * Not interested in one’ moral position, but their reasons for their stance * Morality depends on cognitive stage of development * Kohlberg – as we