Adolescence Development

Growth Spurt

A rapid increase in height and

weight that occurs during
adolescence.

The growth spurt for girls typically
occurs around age 10.5.

The growth spurt for boys
typically occurs around age 12.5.
Sexual Development of
Females
 The first sign of puberty is the
growth spurt.
 The breasts begin to develop and
pubic hair begins to appear.
 Menarche (the first menstrual
period) occurs a year after the
development of the breasts
(between 12.5 and 13 years old).
 Sexual Development of
Males

The initial sign of puberty is the
growth of the testes (around 11.5
years old).

During the growth spurt (around
age 12.5) enlargement of the penis
occurs.

Development of pubic hair.
 Sexual Development of
Males

Development of facial hair.

The first ejaculation (around age
13.5).

The deepening of the voice is one
of the last changes.
Piaget’s Cognitive Development

Sensory-Motor Stage (birth-

Sensory- (birth-2)
Preoperational Stage (2-
(2-7)
Concrete Operations (7-
(7-11)
Formal Operations (11-
(11-15)
 Formal-Operational Stage
Formal-
(11 to 15 years)

The adolescent becomes
capable of abstract thought

Teenagers tend to be very
idealistic – change the world

Later adolescence finds
flexibility in the use of
mental abilities and ideals
 Erikson’s Social-
Social-Emotional
Theory
Age Psychosocial Crisis

0-1, Infant Trust vs. Mistrust

2-3, Toddler Autonomy vs. Shame
3-6, Preschooler Initiative vs. Guilt
7-12, School Age child Industry vs. Inferiority
 Erikson’s Social-
Social-Emotional
Theory
Age Psychosocial Crisis

12-19, Adolescent Identity vs.

Role Confusion
•Questioning who they are, and where they
are going – development of personal faith
 Cognitive Distortions in
Adolescence

imaginary audience: The deluded
belief of adolescents that they are
constantly being observed by
others.

personal fable: The deluded belief
of adolescents that they are unique,
very important, and invulnerable.
 Forming an Identity

identity formation: The

development of a stable sense of
self necessary to make the
transition from dependence on
others to dependence on oneself.

identity crisis: A period of intense
self-examination and decision
making; part of the process of
identity formation.
4 Possible Outcomes of an
Identity Crisis

identity achievement: successful
resolution of identity crisis

identity foreclosure: chosen an
identity that pleases others

moratorium: still exploring various
roles, but have not chosen one yet

identity diffusion: avoid
considering role options in any
conscious manner
 Some Problems of
Adolescence

Declines in self-esteem may result
from the physical, social, or
emotional changes they are going
through.

depression and suicide: Suicide
rates for teens are up from past
decades.
Risk Factors of Teen Suicide

being female

thinking about suicide

having a mental disorder (e.g.,
depression)

having a poorly educated father
who is absent from the home
Other Issues in Adolescences

Peer Pressure

Sex

Dating
Biblical Advice for Young Men
Titus 2:6-8
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-
controlled. 7 In everything set them an example
by doing what is good. In your teaching show
integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech
that cannot be condemned, so that those who
oppose you may be ashamed because they have
nothing bad to say about us.

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to
those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves
with humility toward one another,
Biblical Advice for Young Women

Titus 2:4
Then they can train the younger women to love
their husbands and children, 5 to be self-
controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be
kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so
that no one will malign the word of God.
Biblical Advice for Young Women
1 Peter 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your
husbands so that, if any of them do not believe
the word, they may be won over without words
by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see
the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your
beauty should not come from outward
adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing
of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it
should be that of your inner self, the unfading
beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of
great worth in God's sight.
Biblical Advice for Young Women

1 Peter 3:1-6
5 For this is the way the holy women of the
past who put their hope in God used to make
themselves beautiful. They were submissive
to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who
obeyed Abraham and called him her master.
You are her daughters if you do what is right
and do not give way to fear.
Biblical Advice for Young People

1 Timothy 4:12, 13
Don't let anyone look down on you because you
are young, but set an example for the believers in
speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading
of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching