PSYC 3206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Sex Organ, Anorexia Nervosa, Nocturnal Emission
Document Summary
The age between childhood and adulthood (11-18) Adolescents are individuals in the period of adolescence physical maturation. Primary sex characteristics: physical changes directly linked to reproductive ability. Secondary sex characteristics: physical changes not directly linked to reproduction. Menarche: beginning of menstruation at around age 13. Spermarche: rst spontaneous ejaculation of sperm-laden uid timing of puberty. Pituitary gland releases growth hormone and signals other glands to release hormones. Adequate nutrition and health care cause puberty to occur earlier. Chronic stress is associated with earlier puberty in girls psychological impact. Early maturing girls have low self-con dence. warm parenting can help. Boys tend to transition through puberty without long-lasting negative effects. Mood swings are more frequent than in childhood and many factors affect mood not just puberty. eating disorders. About 20% of adolescents are obese. this leads to pre diabetes and obesity as an adult. Anorexia nervosa often leads to heart damage and without treatment, 15% of adolescents die.
