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Summary Psychology Chapter 4 Notes
Psychology chapter 4 notes based on the textbook "Psychology, an introduction, 4th edition" by L. Swartz, C. De la Rey, N. Duncan, L Townsend, Vivien O'Neill.
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Chapter 4Developmental Psychology: Part 2
Overview of the stages:
Introduction
• Adolescence refers to the stage of human development that follows middle childhood (12–
19 years).
• Traditionally, adolescence is seen as an emotionally turbulent and difficult stage of
development. Hall coined the term storm and stress to describe it.
• There is a growing argument that adolescence is not necessarily a traumatic process, but
rather differs between cultures, within families and for individuals.
• Early adulthood is considered the longest stage in the human life span (20–39 years).
• This is followed by middle adulthood (40–59 years) and
• late adulthood (60 years and older).
Physical development during adolescence
Physical development in adolescence starts with the hormonal and bodily changes of
puberty.
Puberty leads to the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics, and
includes a growth spurt.
Pubescence is the term used to describe the two-year span preceding puberty during
which the changes leading to physical and sexual maturity take place.
During this period, children grow taller and heavier and develop secondary sex
characteristics, physical features that distinguish one sex from the other but that are not
essential for reproduction.
Factors that influence the onset of puberty include nutrition, health, heredity and body
mass.
, Notable physical changes: menarche known as menstruation (girls), spermarche known as
the production of sperm (boys), increase in body hair (both), breasts (girls), deepening
voice (boys), changes in skin texture (which can lead to acne).
The focus on physical changes can have psychological consequences such as eating
disorders. Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are examples.
Physical growth, muscular strength and manual dexterity reach a peak at 25–30 years of
age. Prime of life. Thereafter, the first visible signs of aging occur.
In South Africa, this age group has the highest risk of death or injury through violence,
HIV/AIDS and TB are major health risks.
Health risks include: Violence, Drug abuse, HIV, TB
Muscular strength and manual dexterity (Manual dexterity is the ability to use your hands
in a skilful, coordinated way to grasp and manipulate objects and demonstrate small,
precise movements.)
Visible signs of ageing appear.
It is characterised by an increasingly perceptible decline in physical attributes and
functioning. Women experience menopause and men, a decline in physical responsiveness.
Manual labour and lack of access to adequate health facilities hasten the aging process,
while regular exercise and a good diet can slow it and reduce health risks.
There is an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, cancer and arthritis.
Certain lifestyles and living conditions contribute significantly to health problems. Through
healthy lifestyles individuals can “slow down” the ageing process.
The commencement of late adulthood coincides with senescence, which is the increasing
decline of all the body’s systems, although the actual rate of aging may vary greatly among
individuals.
The general increase in living standards and medical technology has led to increasing
longevity and therefore an increasing number of older persons, which has become a
challenge for the economically active section of the population to support.
South Africans have a lower-than-average life expectancy.
Loss of vision and hearing can hinder daily activities. There is also a decline in strength,
muscular coordination and reaction times, and a shortening of the spinal column.
Health risks include greater vulnerability to injuries and infections, strokes, tuberculosis
(TB), heart disease, diabetes and cancer, but this depends greatly on socio-economic
status, gender and whether people live in an urban or rural area.
Cognitive development: Piaget
FORMAL OPERATIONAL THOUGHT IS THE FINAL STAGE ACHIEVED DURING ADOLESCENCE.
Cognitive development during adolescence
According to Piaget, adolescence is characterised by the development of formal
operational thinking, although his ideas have been challenged.
Cognitive changes lead to egocentrism and a growing self-consciousness. The effects of
egocentrism have been described using the concepts of personal myths, the invincibility
fable and the imaginary audience.
Culture and social norms may not only influence the rate of cognitive development, but also
the mode of thinking that develops
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