Lesson 6: Adolescence

Question 1

What is adolescence?

Answer 1

Adolescence is the period from puberty to adulthood, typically ages 10-18.

Question 2

What triggers physical changes during puberty?

Answer 2

Hormonal changes trigger physical development during puberty.

Question 3

What is distal-proximal development?

Answer 3

Growth occurs from the extremities (hands and feet) toward the torso during adolescence.

Question 4

How much do adolescents typically grow during the growth spurt?

Answer 4

Adolescents add 10-11 inches in height and 50-75 pounds in weight.

Question 5

At what age do boys and girls typically start puberty?

Answer 5

Girls begin around age 10, and boys begin about two years later.

Question 6

What are primary sexual characteristics?

Answer 6

Changes in the reproductive organs, such as testes growth in boys and menarche in girls.

Question 7

What are secondary sexual characteristics?

Answer 7

Visible changes like breast development in girls and voice deepening in boys.

Question 8

What is spermarche?

Answer 8

The first ejaculation of semen, occurring between ages 11 and 15.

Question 9

What factors influence the onset of menstruation?

Answer 9

Stress, higher body fat percentage, and nutrition can affect the timing of menarche.

Question 10

How does acne relate to puberty?

Answer 10

Hormonal changes cause overactive sebaceous glands, leading to acne.

Question 11

What happens to the brain during adolescence?

Answer 11

The brain becomes more interconnected and specialized through myelination and synaptic pruning.

Question 12

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in adolescence?

Answer 12

It governs impulse control, planning, and decision-making but matures fully in the mid-20s.

Question 13

What is the limbic system’s role in adolescence?

Answer 13

It regulates emotions and rewards, making adolescents seek novelty and excitement.

Question 14

How does dopamine affect adolescent behavior?

Answer 14

A peak in dopamine sensitivity enhances the desire for rewards and risk-taking.

Question 15

Why is the adolescent brain more vulnerable to drug exposure?

Answer 15

Neurological changes during adolescence increase susceptibility to long-term effects.

Question 16

How much sleep do adolescents need?

Answer 16

Adolescents require 8-10 hours of sleep per night.

Question 17

What percentage of adolescents get adequate sleep?

Answer 17

Only 9% of older adolescents get the recommended amount of sleep.

Question 18

How does insufficient sleep impact adolescents?

Answer 18

It causes irritability, poor academic performance, and increased risk of substance abuse.

Question 19

What is a circadian rhythm shift?

Answer 19

A biological change during puberty that delays sleep onset in adolescents.

Question 20

Why do experts recommend later school start times?

Answer 20

To align with adolescents’ biological sleep patterns and improve outcomes.

Question 21

What are the three main types of eating disorders?

Answer 21

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

Question 22

What is anorexia nervosa?

Answer 22

An eating disorder characterized by severe food restriction and an intense fear of weight gain.

Question 23

What is bulimia nervosa?

Answer 23

An eating disorder involving cycles of binge-eating followed by purging.

Question 24

What is binge-eating disorder?

Answer 24

Frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food without compensatory behaviors.

Question 25

How is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) used in treating eating disorders?

Answer 25

It helps patients identify and change distorted thoughts and behaviors.

Question 26

What stage of Piaget’s theory applies to adolescence?

Answer 26

The formal operational stage.

Question 27

What is hypothetical-deductive reasoning?

Answer 27

The ability to develop hypotheses and systematically test them.

Question 28

What is adolescent egocentrism?

Answer 28

A heightened self-focus where adolescents believe they are unique and invulnerable.

Question 29

What is an imaginary audience?

Answer 29

The belief that others are constantly observing and judging an adolescent.

Question 30

What is a personal fable?

Answer 30

An adolescent’s belief in their uniqueness and immunity to harm.

Question 31

What is the status dropout rate?

Answer 31

The percentage of 16-24-year-olds not enrolled in school and without a diploma or GED.

Question 32

How has the dropout rate changed since 1990?

Answer 32

It declined from 12% in 1990 to 7% in 2013.

Question 33

Which ethnic group has the highest dropout rates?

Answer 33

Hispanic adolescents historically have higher dropout rates compared to Whites and Blacks.

Question 34

What factors contribute to dropping out of school?

Answer 34

Poverty, lack of parental involvement, and low academic achievement.

Question 35

How does dropping out affect future earnings?

Answer 35

High school dropouts earn significantly less over their lifetime compared to graduates.

Question 36

What are the benefits of adolescent employment?

Answer 36

Extra income, skill-building, and career exploration.

Question 37

What risks are associated with working over 20 hours per week?

Answer 37

Lower grades, increased substance use, and disengagement from school.

Question 38

Why are teen employment rates declining?

Answer 38

Economic shifts and fewer available jobs for teenagers.

Question 39

How does work during adolescence influence adult work ethics?

Answer 39

It can foster responsibility and time management skills.

Question 40

What is the "precocious maturity" concern with adolescent work?

Answer 40

Teens may adopt adult-like roles prematurely, affecting their development.

Question 41

What is the leading cause of death for teens aged 15-20?

Answer 41

Motor vehicle accidents.

Question 42

Why are teen drivers more prone to accidents?

Answer 42

Inexperience, risk-taking, and distractions like cell phones.

Question 43

How does having teen passengers affect accident risk?

Answer 43

It increases the likelihood of accidents by 44%.

Question 44

What gender has higher fatal crash rates among teens?

Answer 44

Male teen drivers.

Question 45

What laws have helped reduce teen driving accidents?

Answer 45

Graduated driver licensing and raising the drinking age to 21.

Question 46

What is Erikson’s psychosocial task for adolescence?

Answer 46

Identity vs. role confusion.

Question 47

What is identity diffusion?

Answer 47

A lack of commitment to any identity or exploration of options.

Question 48

What is identity moratorium?

Answer 48

Active exploration of identities without making commitments.

Question 49

What is ethnic identity achievement?

Answer 49

Understanding and appreciating one’s cultural heritage.

Question 50

What is MAMA cycling?

Answer 50

Repeatedly moving between identity moratorium and achievement.

Question 51

How does autonomy affect parent-teen relationships?

Answer 51

Teens seek greater independence, which can increase conflict.

Question 52

What is deviant peer contagion?

Answer 52

Peers reinforcing negative behaviors like substance use or rule-breaking.

Question 53

How do romantic relationships influence adolescents?

Answer 53

They contribute to identity formation and emotional development.

Question 54

What are crowds in adolescent peer relationships?

Answer 54

Groups defined by shared reputations, such as "jocks" or "brains."

Question 55

What is the role of mixed-sex peer groups in early adolescence?

Answer 55

They provide a context for socializing and early romantic relationships.

Question 56

Why are adolescents more prone to risky behaviors?

Answer 56

The imbalance between the mature limbic system and the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex.

Question 57

How does peer influence affect adolescent decisions?

Answer 57

Peers amplify risk-taking through encouragement and group dynamics.

Question 58

What is the leading substance of abuse among teens?

Answer 58

Alcohol.

Question 59

How does social media influence adolescent risk behaviors?

Answer 59

It can normalize risky activities and increase peer pressure.

Question 60

What interventions reduce adolescent risk behaviors?

Answer 60

Education, parental involvement, and structured extracurricular activities.