Navigating Puberty: Physical Changes and Endocrine System

1. Puberty...how did we make it through it ??? • Puberty -physical changes that mark the transition from childhood to young adulthood. • two general types of physical development - bodily changes and sexual maturation • Biggest growth spurt–starts at 11 • Adult stature @ 15 years for females, 17 for males • gender differences – females more fat, males more muscle • primary sex characteristics – reproductive organs • secondary sex characteristics – not directly linked to reproduction • menarche -first menstruation, early cycles are irregular and without ovulation • spermarche -the ejaculation of sperm • Mood changes are strongly related to SOCIAL concerns • THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM - regulates growth, metabolism, and sexual behavior and readies the body for action and primarily utilizes a feedback system. • The endocrine organs are called glands. • The glands secrete chemicals called hormones. • They are carried throughout the body for diffuse effect which is slower but more durable thanneurotransmitters by being secreted into the bloodstream • so they can influencetarget organsand the sympathetic branch of central nervous system The Endocrine System

2. The Feedback Loop • HYPOTHALAMUS is part of the brain that lies just above the • pituitary gland, controlling it through several "releasing" hormones. • GONADOTROPIN-releasing hormone talks to the pituitary • PITUATARY GLAND- makes luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are important for normal puberty • TSH stimulates the THYROID gland which regulates metabolism and talks to: • TESTES ,twin reproductive glands that produce the hormone TESTOSTERONE. • OVARIES are the twin reproductive glands that produce ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

3. Body weight/image in America • body image – women VS men, a sociocultural perspective Tall, thin, beautiful but happy???? Short, heavy, average but unhappy???? • BMI- body mass index • basal metabolic rate - The speed at which the body consumes calories *Hunger: A strong desire or need for food *Satiety: no longer wanting to eat, satisfaction • genetic predisposition - an inherited genetic pattern that makes one susceptible to a certain disease • obesity –increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat • anorexia nervosa – morphological disorder that involves starvation • bulimia – binge and purge, use of throwing up and laxatives • regular activity - exercise should keep heart rate at about 140 beats per minute • Anabolic steroids are most chemically similar to testosterone COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OR NOT IN ADOLESCENTS? • Poor decision making based on SOCIAL concerns • working memory and processing speed are more adult like than childlike • Metacognition skills -monitoring the effectiveness of a problem solving strategy • Content knowledge - increased expertise

4. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Reasoning • Study using moral dilemmas which has no “validity” (XY) • Heinz dilemma • 3 levels, each containing two stages • Level 1. Preconventional Morality(external forces) • Stage 1. Obedience and Punishment Orientation (don’t spank me) • Stage 2. Individualism and Exchange (how hard will you spank me) • Level II. Conventional Morality(external forces) • Stage 3. Good Interpersonal Relationships (like me, I’m good) • Stage 4. Maintaining the Social Order (be like me) • Level III. Postconventional Morality(internal sense of right/wrong) • Stage 5. Social Contract and Individual Rights (screw you) • Stage 6: Universal Principles (It’s just right; GOD?) • Gilligan's ethic of caring –”helping people in need” instead of justice (XX) • Eisenberg’s levels of prosocial reasoning-deciding between self interest VS helping others • Hedonistic perspective • needs orientation • Approval –focused orientation • empathetic orientation