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U-M PSYCH 250 - Biosocial and Cognitive Development in Adolescence
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PSYCH 250 1st Edition Lecture 14 Part 2 & 15 Part 1Outline of Last Lecture I. Puberty and Physical ChangesII. HormonesIII. Physical GrowthIV. Sexual MaturationV. Body Rhythms VI. Difference in the Timing and Speed of PubertyVII. Sexual ActivityOutline of Current Lecture VIII. STDs and AIDSIX. Use of Contraceptives Among TeensX. Risk Factors for Early Sexual BehaviorXI. Difference in Gender in Describing First Sexual ExperiencesXII. Coming OutXIII. Major Changes in Adolescent CognitionXIV. Adolescent ThinkingCurrent LectureSTDs and AIDSTeens that are sexually active are the highest risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and herpes). The number of HIV infected adolescents doubles each year. In terms of gender, both boys and girls are at equal risk because:- Boys tend to have more partners- Girls tend to have older and more experienced partnersA study was conducted of a Midwest high school were few students who were sexually active reportedly had multiple partners. However, upon further study, only 1/3 of these serious relationships lasted six months. From this study, it was concluded that one infected person in the web of sexual activity could infect the entire school.Use of Contraceptives Among Teens27% of teens do not use contraception consistently. While the most popular method of contraception is the condom, a large number of teens use the withdrawal method or no method at all. There are many reasons why teens do not use contraception:o Protection is not always easily accessibleo Teens are not well-informed of the importance of contraceptiono They do not anticipate having sex (it just happens)o Birth Control often requires long-term planningGenerally, sexual activity among teens that begins at the age of 16 or later is not associated withproblems. HOWEVER, early sexual activity (before the age of 16) is associated with many negative problems:- More experimentation with drugs and alcohol (often a factor in the initiation of sex)- Lower levels of religious involvement- Higher tolerance of deviant behavior- Declined interest in academic achievement- Higher inclination toward negative independenceRisk Factors for Early Sexual BehaviorThere are many risk factors that contribute to early sexual activity in teens. These risk factors are all cumulative and include:- Early pubertal timing- Sexual abuse history- Poor parental monitoring- Single parent/step family- Perception of sexually active friends (everyone else is doing it)- PovertyIn terms of dating, girls generally begin dating 1-2 years than boys (13-14 for girls and 14-15 for boys). Intimacy in individuals is a gradual process:1. Intimacy begins with same-sex friendships2. “Boy” and “Girl” groups3. Small mixed-sex groups4. Pairing off of couplesDifference in Gender in Describing First Sexual ExperiencesBoys and girls often describe their first sexual experiences very differently.Boys: first experience is usually masturbation and later a “hook-up.” They are met with approval from peers, and describe it as exciting and satisfying.Girls: first experience is often with a boy she feels emotionally close to and in love with. She is often met with disapproval from her peers and describes her experience as scary, worrisome, and embarrassing, and may feel guilty afterward.The differences in these descriptions are due to the differences in how each gender views sex. Boys tend to separate sex and intimacy, while girls see sex in combination with love, romance and intimacy. Boys are more likely to see sex as recreational and girls tend to feel conflicted afterward (social perspectives and pregnancy worries).Coming Out2-3% of adolescents identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Forming a sense of identity is quite challenging for a homosexual adolescents. There are three stages of coming out1. Feeling different (generally occurs between 6-12 years of age)2. Confusion (feeling confused over same-sex attraction – may try heterosexual relationships)3. Self – acceptanceLecture 15 Part 1Major Changes in Adolescent CognitionDuring adolescence, there are major changes in cognition. Adolescents begin thinking: About possibilities About abstract concepts About thinking (metacognition) In multiple dimensions In relative (vs. absolute) termsAt this point, adolescents enter in Piaget’s fourth stage of Formal Operation (ages 11 and up).During the period of formal operations, thinking becomes abstract and is no longer tied to personal experiences or concrete experiences. Adolescents are now able to use Hypothetical – Deductive reasoning.Hypothetical: if frogs are bigger than cows, and ants are bigger than frogs…are cows smaller than mice?Deductive: if this is a duck, it will quack and waddleAdolescent ThinkingAdolescents think in a dual – processing model. This refers to the notion that there are two pathways in the brain:Analytic Pathway: logical, hypothetical-deductiveIntuitive: emotional, experiential (quick and powerful but may not be logical)However, there are some side effects to the beginnings of abstract thinking: Adolescent Egocentrism: an intense preoccupation with the self and the belief that others are just as preoccupied with your appearance and behavior. The byproducts of this egocentrism are:Personal FableErroneous belief that one is so special that no one else can understand your perspectiveInvincibility Fable Belief that one is immune to common dangers and threatsImaginaryAudienceBelief that one is the focus of everyone else’s attentionDuring adolescence, many dramatic changes are occurring in the brain, especially in the prefrontal cortex, and limbic system.Prefrontal Cortex: source of decision making and impulse control – does not fully matureuntil the age of 25.Limbic System: area of the brain that processes emotional stimuli – matures at pubertyThe age gap between the maturation of these portions of the brain may help explain why teenagers engage in risk-taking.Teenagers take part in risky behavior because they tend to evaluate the consequences differently than adults do (decision to try drugs at a party). Additionally, emotional and contextual factors play a role in risk – taking. These factors include: sensation – seeking (love thethrill), lack of parental supervision, and peer


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U-M PSYCH 250 - Biosocial and Cognitive Development in Adolescence

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