Question 1

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the findings from the classic study of adolescent experience that supports the contemporary perspective of adolescence?

Accepted Answer

The classic study of adolescent experience found that most adolescents were generally happy, had good relationships with their parents, and felt positive about their progress toward adulthood, which supports the contemporary perspective that adolescence is not as tumultuous as often portrayed.

Question 2

Why are breast development, deepening of the voice, growth of body hair, and changes in the skin all considered secondary sex characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Secondary sex characteristics are physical changes that indicate that an individual has reached physical maturity but are not directly related to fertility. Breast development, deepening of the voice, growth of body hair, and changes in the skin are all examples of secondary sex characteristics because they are not essential for reproduction but are important markers of physical development. They typically occur after the maturation of the ovaries and testes, which are considered primary sex characteristics.

Question 3

The lowering of the average age of puberty with each generation is known as a:

Accepted Answer

The term "secular" refers to long-term, gradual changes that occur over generations, such as the decrease in the age of puberty. Therefore, the correct term for this phenomenon is the secular trend. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe this trend.

Question 4

Lauren is a 14-year-old who is participating in a research study. She is being asked to carry a special phone and is texted randomly throughout the day. When she receives the text, she is asked to report what she is doing at that moment, who she is with, and how she is feeling. What method is the researcher using?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is using the experience sampling method, which involves randomly sampling participants' experiences throughout the day to gather data on their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. In this case, Lauren is using a special phone to report on what she is doing, who she is with, and how she is feeling when she receives a text.

Question 5

Which of the following factors is not an important determinant of adolescent behavior?

Accepted Answer

While the availability of peer mentoring groups in schools may be beneficial for some adolescents, it is not a critical determinant of adolescent behavior. Puberty, adolescents' temperament and emotional regulation skills, and the duration and intensity of changes are all important factors that can affect adolescent behavior.

Question 6

Abena is an adolescent girl who lives in an impoverished area of Africa. She has led a life of malnutrition and contracted several infectious diseases in her childhood. She has very little fat stores in her body as a result of her experiences. Based on what we know about pubertal timing, when will Abena experience menarche?

Accepted Answer

Malnutrition and infectious diseases can delay the onset of puberty, which includes menarche. Abena's experiences indicate that she has very little fat stores, which is a known factor in delaying menstruation. Therefore, Abena is likely to experience menarche late, around the age of 15.

Question 7

Precocious puberty has been seen as early as age:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Precocious puberty has been seen as early...

Question 8

Which of the following is thought to delay the onset of puberty?

Accepted Answer

Exposure to severe stress is thought to delay the onset of puberty by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which leads to increased production of cortisol. This, in turn, can suppress the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is responsible for triggering the onset of puberty. Exposure to small doses of stress, on the other hand, is not thought to significantly affect puberty onset, and there is no evidence to suggest that low socioeconomic status or being raised by a single mother delays puberty.

Question 9

Daniel's mother just bought him new shoes for his 13th birthday. Three weeks later they are too small. She bought him another pair and two months later those shoes were too small. What is happening?

Accepted Answer

Daniel's rapid increase in foot size suggests that he has begun going through the adolescent growth spurt, which is a period of rapid growth and physical changes that typically occurs during early adolescence. This is a normal and expected part of development for boys. Option A is incorrect because Daniel's growth pattern appears to be typical for his age and sex. Option B is incorrect because rapid foot growth is not necessarily an indicator that Daniel is nearing the end of his growth spurt. Option C is incorrect because it assumes that boys don't grow that fast, which is not necessarily true.

Question 10

Which view of adolescence views it as a time of universal and inevitable upheaval triggered by puberty and comprising ages 14 to 24?

Accepted Answer

The view that adolescence is a time of universal and inevitable upheaval triggered by puberty and comprising ages 14 to 24 is known as the Storm and Stress view. It suggests that all adolescents experience a period of turmoil and disruption in their lives characterized by mood swings, conflict with authority figures, and a search for identity. This view has been criticized, however, for ignoring the diversity and complexity of adolescent experiences and exaggerating the negative aspects of this period of development.

Question 11

Which of the following is an important factor that influences whether an adolescent will report positive affect and greater enjoyment of activities?

Accepted Answer

The degree of control or choice an adolescent feels over an activity has been shown to have a significant influence on their positive affect and enjoyment of the activity. When adolescents have more control or choice over their activities, they are more likely to feel invested and engaged in them, leading to more positive emotions and enjoyment. The other factors listed may also have some influence, but research has consistently shown that autonomy and choice are powerful predictors of positive affect in adolescents.

Question 12

Allison's body has experienced a growth of her uterus and ovaries. What will she experience to show that this primary sex characteristic has occurred?

Accepted Answer

Menarche, or the onset of menstruation, is a primary sex characteristic that occurs in females as a result of the growth of their uterus and ovaries.

Question 13

Why do boys end up taller than girls on average?

Accepted Answer

Boys and girls have the potential to be the same height, but boys generally end up being taller because they have what's called a later growth spurt. They start around two years later than girls, but the growth spurt lasts longer, meaning that boys have more time to grow than girls do.

Question 14

How do we know that genes play a role in pubertal timing?

Accepted Answer

The fact that identical twins experience menarche at about the same time but fraternal twins can vary by a year or more suggests that genetic factors are playing a role in determining pubertal timing. This provides evidence that genes are involved in the process.

Question 15

At which point in puberty do hormones impact an adolescent's feelings of depression, irritability, and aggression?

Accepted Answer

Hormones impact an adolescent's feelings of depression, irritability, and aggression early in puberty, when the levels of sex hormones begin to increase. This happens around the age of 8-10 years for girls and 9-11 years for boys. Hormonal changes continue throughout all stages of puberty, but the impact on mood and behavior is most significant early on.

Question 16

What is the first outward sign of puberty?

Accepted Answer

The adolescent growth spurt is typically the first outward sign of puberty, marking the beginning of physical changes associated with this developmental stage.

Question 17

Nick is an adolescent boy who has been very difficult for his parents. He experiences extreme moodiness fluctuating between depression and intense feeling of anger. He is irritable and gets in fights with his parents and siblings on a daily basis. Based on what we know about adolescent moodiness, how old is Nick?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nick is an adolescent boy who has...

Question 18

Early pubertal onset is associated with all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Low socioeconomic status is not associated with early pubertal onset.

Question 19

The father of the study of adolescence is:

Accepted Answer

G. Stanley Hall is considered the father of the study of adolescence. He pioneered the scientific study of adolescence and established it as a unique stage of development with its own challenges and characteristics. While Erik Erikson and Sigmund Freud both made contributions to the field of psychology, they did not specifically focus on adolescence in the same way that Hall did. B.F. Skinner is known for his work on behaviorism, which is not directly related to the study of adolescence.

Question 20

How long does the whole process of puberty take on average for boys and girls to complete?

Accepted Answer

The whole process of puberty typically takes about four years for both boys and girls to complete. It may begin earlier or later, but on average, it lasts about four years. During this time, physical changes occur, including the development of secondary sexual characteristics, growth spurts, and hormonal changes.

Quiz 11: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence