Key Terms

1.0 Images of Life-Span Development: Puberty's Mysteries and Curiosities

2.0 Transition to Adolescence

menarche (менархе, первая менструация)

3.0 Physical Development

puberty

hormones

testosterone

estradiol

early-maturing later-maturing

4.0 Cognitive Developmental Changes formal operational thought hypothetical-deductive reasoning adolescent egocentrism imaginary audience

personal fable

realistic decision making

5.0 The Nature of Adolescents’ Schooling

secondary school

bасk-to-basic movement

middle school

6.0 Adolescent Problems and Disturbances

alcohol cocaine

juvenile delinquency

index offenses

status offenses

negative identity

adolescent pregnancy

abstinence

suicide

proximal factors

distal factors

anorexia nervosa

bulimia

7. 0 Thе Current Status of Adolescents and At-Risk Youth

ambivalent message

at-risk youth

8.0 Contemporary Concerns

life skills training

Essay and Critical Thinking Questions

Comprehension and Application Essay Questions

We recommend that you follow either our guidelines for "Answering Essay and Critical Thinking Questions," or those provided by your instructor, when preparing your response to these questions. Your answers to these kinds of questions demonstrate an ability to comprehend and apply ideas discussed in this chapter.

1. Explain why physical development during puberty seems to cause so much more concern to individuals at this age than physical development does at any other ages.

2. Explain why it is difficult to know when puberty begins and ends.

3. Compare and contrast early- and late-maturers, and discuss positive and negative consequences for each type of individual.

4. Compare and contrast Piaget's views about concrete operational and formal thought.

5. Explain the concepts of adolescent egocentrism, imaginary audience, and personal fable. Include at least two original examples of each in your response.

6. Summarize what developmentalists know about decision making by children and adolescents.

7. Explain the controversy in secondary education regarding the back-to-basics movement and its alternative views.

8. Analyze your own middle school or junior high school. How did it rate in terms of the criteria for effective schools for adolescents discussed in this chapter?

9. List and describe the various problems and disorders that trouble adolescents.

10. Discuss some causes, consequences, and cures for juvenile delinquency.

11. How does the incidence of adolescent sexual activity and pregnancy in the United States and European countries compare and contrast.

12. Imagine that you are in a situation with a potentially suicidal individual. Explain what you should and should not do.

13. Define and distinguish between anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

14. Explain what it means to say that American society sends mixed messages about and to adolescents.

15. Define and give some examples of at-risk youth.