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Chapter 11Chapter 11

Physical and Cognitive Physical and Cognitive

Development in Adolescence Development in Adolescence

Physical and CognitivePhysical and Cognitive

Development in Development in

Adolescence Adolescence

Chapter 11 Chapter 11

Physical Changes in Boys andPhysical Changes in Boys and Girls Girls 

Table 11-1 in textbook, page 390Table 11-1 in textbook, page 390



Development of primary andDevelopment of primary and

secondary sex characteristics. secondary sex characteristics.



Growth spurt in girls - RapidGrowth spurt in girls - Rapid

increase in height and weight, increase in height and weight,

both boys and girls reach full both boys and girls reach full

height by age 18. height by age 18.



Girls 9.5 and 14.5 yearsGirls 9.5 and 14.5 years



Boys 10.5 to 16 yearsBoys 10.5 to 16 years

Two Stages of PubertyTwo Stages of Puberty Adrenarche Adrenarche 

Maturing of the adrenal glands –Maturing of the adrenal glands –

between ages 6 and 9, the between ages 6 and 9, the

adrenal glands secrete adrenal glands secrete

increasing levels of androgens increasing levels of androgens

called DHEA. called DHEA.



DHEA plays role in growth ofDHEA plays role in growth of

pubic hair, axillary and facial hair pubic hair, axillary and facial hair

and faster body growth, oily skin and faster body growth, oily skin

and body odor and body odor

GonadarcheGonadarche  The sex organs mature 2 – 4 years later.The sex organs mature 2 – 4 years later.  Girl’s ovaries increase output ofGirl’s ovaries increase output of estrogen which stimulates growth of estrogen which stimulates growth of female genitals and breasts. In boys, female genitals and breasts. In boys, growth of male genitals, muscle mass growth of male genitals, muscle mass and body hair. and body hair.  Boys and girls both androgens andBoys and girls both androgens and estrogens but girls have higher levels of estrogens but girls have higher levels of estrogen and boys higher levels of estrogen and boys higher levels of adrogens. adrogens.

Critical Factor for Timing ofCritical Factor for Timing of Hormonal Activity Hormonal Activity 

Depends on reaching a criticalDepends on reaching a critical

weight level. weight level.



Leptin, a brain protein secreted byLeptin, a brain protein secreted by

fatty tissue, is identified in fatty tissue, is identified in

overweight people is needed to overweight people is needed to

trigger puberty. trigger puberty.



Gene GPR54 on chromosome 19Gene GPR54 on chromosome 19

• essential for this process to – essential for this process to

occur. occur.

Adolescent BrainAdolescent Brain 

The adolescent brain is not yetThe adolescent brain is not yet

fully mature. It undergoes a fully mature. It undergoes a

second wave of overproduction second wave of overproduction

of gray matter, especially in the of gray matter, especially in the

frontal lobes, followed by pruning frontal lobes, followed by pruning

of excess nerve cells. Continuing of excess nerve cells. Continuing

myelination of the frontal lobes myelination of the frontal lobes

facilitates the maturation of facilitates the maturation of

cognitive processing. cognitive processing.

Emotions before ReasonEmotions before Reason 

Adolescents process informationAdolescents process information

about emotions with the about emotions with the

amygdala, whereas adults use the amygdala, whereas adults use the

frontal lobe. Thus adolescents frontal lobe. Thus adolescents

tend to make less accurate, less tend to make less accurate, less

reasoned judgments. reasoned judgments.



Teens tend to be impulsive andTeens tend to be impulsive and

seek risk taking behaviors seek risk taking behaviors

because of this emotionality. because of this emotionality.

SleepSleep  The brain of the adolescent pre-The brain of the adolescent pre- disposes them to stay up later and disposes them to stay up later and sleep longer than younger children. sleep longer than younger children. Natural circadian rhythm. Natural circadian rhythm.  Teens need 9 hours of sleep butTeens need 9 hours of sleep but frequently do not get it. frequently do not get it.  Sleep-deprivation leads to manySleep-deprivation leads to many symptoms – doing poorly in school symptoms – doing poorly in school and depression and depression

ObesityObesity  Adolescence need more calories thanAdolescence need more calories than at any other time in their life, at any other time in their life, however, combined with less activity however, combined with less activity and poor eating habits, the teen can and poor eating habits, the teen can still gain weight. still gain weight.  Genetic influence as well as lifestyleGenetic influence as well as lifestyle

• large number of fat cells from birth, – large number of fat cells from birth, faulty metabolism, inability to faulty metabolism, inability to recognize cues about hunger and recognize cues about hunger and satiation. satiation.

Bulimia NervosaBulimia Nervosa 

Person goes on huge eatingPerson goes on huge eating

binges within a short time, then binges within a short time, then

may try to undo the high caloric may try to undo the high caloric

intake by self-induced vomiting, intake by self-induced vomiting,

fasting, and excessive and fasting, and excessive and

vigorous exercise. vigorous exercise.



Seems to be related to low levelsSeems to be related to low levels

of brain chemical serotonin. of brain chemical serotonin.

Gateway DrugsGateway Drugs  Marijuana, alcohol and tobaccoMarijuana, alcohol and tobacco  Adolescents are more vulnerableAdolescents are more vulnerable than adults to the negative effects of than adults to the negative effects of alcohol on learning and memory. alcohol on learning and memory. Cognitive impairment weeks later. Cognitive impairment weeks later.  Marijuana is most widely used illicitMarijuana is most widely used illicit drug in the U.S. drug in the U.S.  Smoking rates have declined in theSmoking rates have declined in the U.S. among teens. U.S. among teens.

Three Leading Causes ofThree Leading Causes of Death Among Teens Death Among Teens 

Motor vehicle accidents – AccountsMotor vehicle accidents – Accounts

for 2 out of 5 deaths in adolescence for 2 out of 5 deaths in adolescence



Firearm-related deaths includingFirearm-related deaths including

homicide, suicide and accidental homicide, suicide and accidental

deaths deaths



Suicide – almost ¼ of U.S. highSuicide – almost ¼ of U.S. high

school students have reported school students have reported

considering suicide considering suicide



Close to 9% have attempted suicideClose to 9% have attempted suicide

Fatal Car CrashesFatal Car Crashes 

Collisions are more likely to beCollisions are more likely to be

fatal when teenage passengers fatal when teenage passengers

are in the vehicle. are in the vehicle.



Adolescents tend to drive moreAdolescents tend to drive more

recklessly in the presence of recklessly in the presence of

peers. peers.