Adolescents and Puberty
The Physical and Psychological Effects of Puberty
Sarah Rempel
Psychology 345
Assignment #2
Every individual has experienced this time of uncertainty known as puberty. It brings confusion as adolescents are often trying to figure out who they are and find an identity. Santrok
(2007) defines puberty as “a period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes that take place primarily in early adolescence”. Confusion is often an onset due to physical changes of the body caused by hormonal changes. These powerful chemicals, known as hormones, are secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream (Santrok, 2007). Two important hormones play functional roles: androgens for male and estrogen for female. Testosterone, also known as an androgen, plays an important role in male pubertal development such as, development of external genitals, an increase in height, and voice change, as well as sexual desire and activity
(Santrok, 2007). Estradiol, also known as estrogen, plays an important role in female pubertal development such as, breast development, uterine development, and skeletal changes such as widening of the hips. The endocrine system plays a significant role in pubertal development as well. The hypothalamus, which is a structure located in the brain, helps regulate and monitor hormone secretion within the body. In connection to this the pituitary gland influences growth by producing growth hormones, in correlation with the thyroid gland, this interacts with the pituitary gland to influence growth. Growth influences such as height occur in girls earlier than boys. Researchers found that the mean growth spurt age for girls is nine years old and for boys it is at 11 years of age. At the beginning of puberty, girls are generally taller than boys; however, by the end of middle school boys have either caught up to the girls or have surpassed them.
Other glands such as the
Sarah Rempel
Psychology 345
Assignment #2
Every individual has experienced this time of uncertainty known as puberty. It brings confusion as adolescents are often trying to figure out who they are and find an identity. Santrok
(2007) defines puberty as “a period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes that take place primarily in early adolescence”. Confusion is often an onset due to physical changes of the body caused by hormonal changes. These powerful chemicals, known as hormones, are secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream (Santrok, 2007). Two important hormones play functional roles: androgens for male and estrogen for female. Testosterone, also known as an androgen, plays an important role in male pubertal development such as, development of external genitals, an increase in height, and voice change, as well as sexual desire and activity
(Santrok, 2007). Estradiol, also known as estrogen, plays an important role in female pubertal development such as, breast development, uterine development, and skeletal changes such as widening of the hips. The endocrine system plays a significant role in pubertal development as well. The hypothalamus, which is a structure located in the brain, helps regulate and monitor hormone secretion within the body. In connection to this the pituitary gland influences growth by producing growth hormones, in correlation with the thyroid gland, this interacts with the pituitary gland to influence growth. Growth influences such as height occur in girls earlier than boys. Researchers found that the mean growth spurt age for girls is nine years old and for boys it is at 11 years of age. At the beginning of puberty, girls are generally taller than boys; however, by the end of middle school boys have either caught up to the girls or have surpassed them.
Other glands such as the
References: Germain G.I., Arnold, G.S., Nottelmann, E.D., & Susman E.J.(1988). Relations between hormone levels and observational measures of aggressive behaviour of young adolescents in family interaction. Developmental Psychology (24)1, 129-139. Santrok, J.W. (2007). Adolescence (11th ed.)New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Williams, J.M. & Currie, C. (2000). Self-esteem and physical development in early adolescence: pubertal timing and body image. The Journal of Early Adolescence (20) 129-149.