PSYCH 240 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Secondary Sex Characteristic, Age 13, Normative Social Influence
Document Summary
Adolescence: transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence. Due to improved nutrition, sexual maturation occurs earlier nowadays. Psychologists note that adolescence is often marked by mood swings. Begins with puberty: period of sexual maturation, during which one first becomes capable of reproducing; 2-year period of rapid development usually beginning in girls at age 11 and in boys at age 13. Primary sex characteristics: body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible. Secondary sex characteristics: nonreproductive sexual characteristics female breasts and hips, male voice quality and body hair. Landmarks of puberty for boys are first ejaculation at about 14 and first menstrual period for girls at about 13. Although variation in the timing of growth spurt has little effect in height, there are psychological consequences. Early maturation is good for boys stronger, more athletic, and tend to be more popular, self-assured, and independent.
