ECE 31 & 131 - Day 13 - Adolescent biosocial and cognitive development

4/26/17

O. Garcia - Spring 2017 1

Today’s class

Adolescence:biosocial and cognitive developmentv Research Project # 5 due May 10 (no exception)

v Focus on Adolescent developmentv Method: Observation or Interview

v Schedule for Fall 2017 available May 2. Did you get a priority registration date?

v Three more weeks of class – May 3, 10 & 17 v May 3 last date for extra-creditv May 17 – final exam

Results of your school age research project

Groups of 3 or 4 who visited different schools.

§ Take turns. § Each person share

what you discovered about one of the topics on the box at right.

§ Explain your example from a developmental perspective.

§ Be specific.

1. Behaviors indicative of the child’s concept of self

2. Relationships with peers3. Literacy development4. Bilingual development5. Reasoning and/or

mathematical development

Planning for the last research project:

adolescent developmentOption: observation or interview ØIf interview: must obtain permission from teen’s

parent

ØIf observation: must select a junior high or high school and ask permission to visit and observe before next Wednesday’s class May 3.

ØAssignment due date: May 10No late papers accepted

Whether you decide to interview a teenager, or observe in a junior high or high school classroom . . .What do you hope to learn?What aspect of adolescent development interests you most?

How would you ask open-ended, neutral, non-judgmental questions?

Research method options: observation or interview

Preparing for the last research project

1. Adolescent thinking2. School experience3. Sense of identity4. Emotions and

feelings5. Social relationships6. Health and wellness

Preparing for the last research project

Possible research focus areas:

What age period do you think of when you hear the word “adolescence”?

What words or images come to your mind when you hear the word “teenager”? Make a list.

What is “Adolescence”?

ECE 31 & 131 - Day 13 - Adolescent biosocial and cognitive development

4/26/17

O. Garcia - Spring 2017 2

Adolescence

Adolescence refers to the age period between childhood and adulthood.

Ø Tweens: 10-13 yearsØ Teens: 13-18 yearsØ Emerging adulthood: 18-25 yrs

Table groups choose one topic:1. Hormonal and biological

changes (pp. 446-447)

2. Brain development (pp. 462-464)

3. Sexual maturation (pp. 465-468)

• Puberty is a period of rapid physical growth and sexual maturation that signals end of childhood.

• The sequence of physical changes is universal, but the timing varies (over 3 to 5 years).

• Age of onset ranges between ages 8 and 14.

What is puberty?

• Rapid changes– Some visible– Some invisible

• Self awareness of changes• Preocupation w/ changes• Hormonal cascades• Sudden emotional states

• Menarche: the term for a girl’s first period. It signals that ovulation has begun (may be irregular for a few years)

• Spermarche: the term for a boy’s first ejaculation, which signals sperm production has begun

Hormonal changes• Puberty begins with a

signal from the hypothalamus –> to the pituitary gland –> to adrenal glands and gonads.

• Gonads release testosterone and estradiol.

• Hormones influence mood and thought.

What did you learn?

Pages 446-447

Biological Sequence of Puberty

ECE 31 & 131 - Day 13 - Adolescent biosocial and cognitive development

4/26/17

O. Garcia - Spring 2017 3

v Research has found that the limbic system, an emotional and impulsive part of the brain, develops prior to the prefrontal cortex, the rational, logical part of the brain.

v This explains –in part– some of the impulsive, emotional reactions of teens.

Brain DevelopmentWhat differences are evident between these two illustrations?

What did you learn?

The top image: the child and adolescent brain

The bottom image: the adult brain

Neural Connections and brain plasticity

vMyelination of the prefrontal cortex improves with age, fostering improvements in decision making, rational arguments, and even reaction time.

v Experiences during adolescence are particularly crucial and lasting.

What do you recall about this topic? What’s the meaning of plasticity?

Sexual MaturationWhat did you learn?

Primary sex characteristics:u The parts of the body directly involved

in reproduction (e.g., testicles, ovaries)

Secondary sex characteristics:u Not necessary for reproductionu Examples: odor, acne, breast

development, hair, voice changes

Adolescent Egocentrism

“centrado en sí mismo”

“centrado en su grupo”

A tendency to focus on oneself:Ø Personal Fable

(“I’m so unique.”)Ø Invincibility Fable

(“Nothing bad can happen.”)Ø Imaginary audience

(“Everyone is watching.”)

What is it? Look it up. What did you learn?

• They love to think and discuss life, and are often idealists.

• Adolescents can think about possibilities and about the future.

• They often question the validity of adult values, practices.

Formal Operational Thought

What is it? Look it up. What did you learn?

Intuitive, emotional thinking

• Analytic (formal operational)

• Intuitive: thoughts spring from feelings, memories

Is QUICK & POWERFUL, but may be illogical!Example: assume an athlete must be popular

Two types of thought:

ECE 31 & 131 - Day 13 - Adolescent biosocial and cognitive development

4/26/17

O. Garcia - Spring 2017 4

Expectations in school

v Practical cognition.v College readiness?v Work/job readiness?v U.S. students performance

vs. international studentsv Five key cognitive skills (p. 505)

• High schools emphasize the use of formal operational thought(vs. intuitive).

• The curriculum is rigorous; math and science emphasized; high-stakes testing.

What did you learn?

Cyber dangersØ What are the benefits of

technology use?Ø What are the hazards of

technology use?

5-minute write:ØSomething you

already knew but now understand better.

ØOne new knowledge about adolescents and / or a change in your opinions?