Ps 220
Development and Theories Related to Adolescence
Daphne Holstin
PS 220-01
September 3, 2012
Professor Smith
Development and Theories Related to Adolescence
Adolescences is the period of development between the ages of 12 to 18 years of age. During this period many physical changes begin both boys and girls as they grow rapidly and enter puberty. Rapid physical growth differs in boys and girls; boys usually start physical growth approximately 2 years after the girls do. Girls begin growth between the ages of 10 to 14 years of age while boys begin growth between 12 to 16 years of age. During the rapid growth in height adolescence reach maturity in which skeletal maturity and puberty are obtained (Bukatko, 2008). Skeletal maturity is determined by the ossification of cartilage to boney tissue. The completion of this process determines the adolescent has reached skeletal maturity (Bukatko, 2008). Sexual maturation during adolescence or puberty is the period of development in which the girl or boy goes through physical change and experience physical changes in which fertility is supported. These change for girls include, menstruation, the development of breast and body hair. For boys these changes include the change in voice, development of body hair, enlargement of testes and the first ejaculation (American Psychological Association, 2002). During adolescence brain growth continues and changes in the frontal cortex region. This development includes the axons in this region were they become myelinated giving the neurons increased speed of transmission within the frontal cortex and other areas of the brain (Bukatko, 2008).During this period brain development cognitive abilities become mature and continue to mature into early adulthood. The adolescent begins to change how they think, reason, and understand. This is a dramatic change from the thinking of childhood by learning the ability to become problem solvers, engage in decision making and look into future
Daphne Holstin
PS 220-01
September 3, 2012
Professor Smith
Development and Theories Related to Adolescence
Adolescences is the period of development between the ages of 12 to 18 years of age. During this period many physical changes begin both boys and girls as they grow rapidly and enter puberty. Rapid physical growth differs in boys and girls; boys usually start physical growth approximately 2 years after the girls do. Girls begin growth between the ages of 10 to 14 years of age while boys begin growth between 12 to 16 years of age. During the rapid growth in height adolescence reach maturity in which skeletal maturity and puberty are obtained (Bukatko, 2008). Skeletal maturity is determined by the ossification of cartilage to boney tissue. The completion of this process determines the adolescent has reached skeletal maturity (Bukatko, 2008). Sexual maturation during adolescence or puberty is the period of development in which the girl or boy goes through physical change and experience physical changes in which fertility is supported. These change for girls include, menstruation, the development of breast and body hair. For boys these changes include the change in voice, development of body hair, enlargement of testes and the first ejaculation (American Psychological Association, 2002). During adolescence brain growth continues and changes in the frontal cortex region. This development includes the axons in this region were they become myelinated giving the neurons increased speed of transmission within the frontal cortex and other areas of the brain (Bukatko, 2008).During this period brain development cognitive abilities become mature and continue to mature into early adulthood. The adolescent begins to change how they think, reason, and understand. This is a dramatic change from the thinking of childhood by learning the ability to become problem solvers, engage in decision making and look into future
References: American Psychological Association. (2002). Developing adolescences: A reference for professionals. Retrieved September from http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/develop.pdf. Bukatko, D. (2008). Child and adolescent development: a chronological approach. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Gregg, F. (2007, January 17). Child and adolescent psychology: Unit 7 seminar [PowerPoint]. Kaplan University, McLeod, S. A. (2009). Attachment Theory. Retrieved September 4, 2012 from http://www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html.