Understanding Human Development: From Puberty to Adulthood

Primary sex characteristics refer to the specific reproductive organs involved in reproduction, distinguishing them from secondary characteristics, accessory sex organs, and hormonal influences.

Puberty changes for girls usually begin around the age of 9 or 10, with most girls achieving sexual maturation at 13 or 14.

Boys typically experience puberty changes around the age of 12, with sexual maturity usually occurring around 14. While puberty can vary from individual to individual, this is a general guideline for boys.

A secular trend refers to the gradual change over time in a population, such as the lowering of the age when puberty begins and when young people reach adult height and sexual maturity. It is not related to observing several generations, holidays, fashion, or politics.

Research suggests that early maturing boys tend to have positive social traits but may also experience concerns such as worry about being liked, caution, and strict rule adherence.

Early maturing girls often face challenges in social interactions and self-esteem due to their advanced physical development, which can lead to introversion, shyness, and negative perceptions about puberty.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health disorder characterized by restricted eating leading to significant weight loss. It is not caused by a detectable illness, but rather involves intense fear of gaining weight, disturbance in body image, and significant weight loss according to the American Psychiatric Association criteria.

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, feeling of lack of control over eating behavior, and regular episodes of self-induced vomiting. The incorrect answers do not align with the typical characteristics of bulimia nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that can have numerous negative consequences on a person's physical and mental health. Some of the common consequences include dehydration, constipation, abnormal heart rhythms, increased susceptibility to cold, irregular menstrual cycles, abdominal distention, and significant weight fluctuations. Tooth decay, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes are not typically associated with bulimia.

The term 'Young Old' refers to older individuals who remain active and energetic regardless of their age, distinguishing them from those who are frail, dependent, or exhibit characteristics commonly associated with old age.

The 'oldest old' refers to individuals aged 85 and older, who are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.

Ageism specifically refers to discrimination based on age, not race, gender, or religion.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills. Alzheimer's Disease is a specific type of dementia, characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive decline in cognitive function and behavior, leading to memory loss, confusion, communication difficulties, and changes in personality. Symptoms do not include sudden improvement, increased focus, or enhanced memory retention.

Incontinence refers to the loss of bladder and bowel control, and often accompanies total loss of mobility, particularly in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Once children have fully entered the concrete operational stage, they show cognitive advances such as understanding classification, which is the ability to group objects based on common characteristics. This cognitive development marks an important milestone in their ability to reason and solve problems.

Reversibility in Piaget's theory is specifically about the understanding that changes can be undone or reversed, not about irreversible actions, general mathematical understanding, or the process of learning new information.

In Piaget's theory, the concept of identity involves understanding that objects retain their identity despite changes in appearance or characteristics. This marks a cognitive milestone in children's development.

Reciprocity in this context refers to the ability to understand that two things can change in opposite ways to balance each other out, rather than the other definitions provided.

Children's cognitive development is characterized by limitations in thinking, including being tied to concrete reality and struggling with abstract or hypothetical questions involving formal logic.

While Piaget's theory of cognitive development is widely respected, one critique is that he may have misjudged the age at which children's cognitive abilities emerge, with some evidence suggesting earlier development than he proposed.

Industry vs. Inferiority is the fourth stage in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and is relevant to middle childhood, lasting from roughly age 6 to age 12. It is characterized by a focus on efforts to attain competence in meeting the challenges presented by parents, peers, school, and the complexities of the modern world.

The brain reaches its adult size around age 7, showing more development of higher cognitive processes and selective attention. At this age, children can better filter out unwanted stimulation and develop automaticity with consistent practice.

The continued development of the corpus callosum and myelin sheath allows for better motor skills, leading to improvements in reaction times and development of both fine and gross motor skills.

The Intimacy vs Isolation dilemma is a key developmental stage in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, specifically occurring during young adulthood. It involves the balance between forming a strong sense of self-identity before seeking intimacy with another individual.

The term 'the old-old' specifically refers to the frail and infirm minority of older adults who require care and support due to advanced age and health issues.