Psy 103 - Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

Demetra L. Marshall

PSY 103/ Introduction to Psychology

November 23, 2015

Matthew Pearcey

Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

For my topic on the Lifespan Development and Personality Paper I chose to focus on the adolescence stage which ranges from the ages of 12-18 years of age.  Adolescence is defined as the period of life when a child develops into an adult or it can be defined as the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority (Meriam Webster 2015).

        Several factors affect the physical development during the adolescent stage. Those factors consist of things like puberty which is when adolescents become able to reproduce. Everyone goes through puberty and it is considered a normal process in the growth of adolescents. According to "Puberty: Changes for Females" (2013), the changes that usually occur in females during puberty are the growth of breasts between the ages of 8-13.  The growth of pubic hair between the ages of 8-14. Body growth between the ages of 9 1/2-14 ½. First period between the ages of 10-16 ½. Underarm hair grows 2 years after pubic hair shows up. Acne begins around the same time as underarm hair.  According to "Puberty: Changes for Males" (2013), those changes are the growth of testicles & scrotal sac between the ages of 10-13 ½. Growth of pubic hair between the ages of 10-15. Body growth between the ages of 10 1/2 -16 ½. Growth of penis between the ages of         11-14 ½.  Change in voice is about the same time as penis growth. Facial & Underarm Hair is about 2 years after pubic hair appears. Acne develops about the same time as underarm hair appears.

        When it comes to physical development in adolescents, Heredity can play a major role. According to research the timing of puberty can be hereditary. After completing twin studies some researchers noted that genetics and timing can determine when puberty starts in adolescents.

Lifespan Development and Personality Paper

According to Piaget adolescents go through a cognitive phase called the Formal operational Stage. In this stage adolescents gain the ability to think in an abstract manner, the ability to combine and classify items in a more sophisticated way, and the capacity for higher reasoning.  At around the age of eleven, you begins to manipulate ideas in its head, without any dependence on concrete manipulation; it has entered the formal operational stage. He/she can do mathematical calculations, think creatively, use abstract reasoning, and imagine the outcome of particular actions. (McLeod, 2010). Most adolescents are easily influenced, so I would say that environmental factors play a huge part on the cognitive development of adolescents. For example if a kid hangs around other kids that are making good grades, and are well mannered and stays out of trouble, most likely they will mirror this behavior. This is why I believe that sometimes environmental factors can determine ones upbringing. Speaking from my family, the ones in my family that grew up in similar environments have similar lifestyles compared to the family members who grew up in different areas. What I mean by that is, I am from a small country town. The family members who grew up in similar surroundings have the same type of views when it comes to life and living. The ones that grew up in the city area, tend to live a faster life and look at things differently. So I believe that nature out trumps nurture sometimes.