Changes in Puberty 4 Changes inPuberty Student Name Developmental Psychology PSY 220 Month Day, Year Changes in Puberty What is the first thing that comes into our minds when we say puberty? Well, sex is the most common thought that pops out from the head of many people. However, there is much more than just sex when it comes to puberty. Puberty is a very unique and important evolving stage of all males and females. During puberty, guys and girls go through many changes that we might find funny, scary and even a little weird. Puberty is the changes in physiology, anatomy, and physical functioning that develops a person into a mature adult biologically and prepares the body for sexual reproduction (Arnett, 2013). The increased levels of sex hormones result in a variety of dramatic changes in the bodies of both male and female adolescents. These changes affect one’s body physically, emotionally, and socially. Physical Changes Some of the most significant parts of pubertal development involves distinctive physiological changes in an individual’s appearance. These changes are largely influenced by hormonal activity. For girls, physical changes might start around age 10 or 11, but this can be seen as young as 8, or as old as 13. Physical changes around puberty include breast development, changes in body shape and height, growth of pubic and body hair, and the start of their menstrual cycle. For boys, physical changes usually start around the ages of 11 and 12, this can be seen as young as 9, or as old as 14. Physical changes include growth of the penis and testes, height increase, change in body shape, erections with ejaculation, growth of body and facial hair, and changes to voice (Raising Children Network., 2011). Emotional Changes Since the body undergoes many changes during puberty, it is common for one to feel uncomfortable and become overly sensitive about their physical appearance. As a result, teens undergoing puberty have a tendency to be easily irritated and depressed due to their tendency to compare themselves to others, potentially lowering their self-esteem. Since adolescents are no longer children nor an adult, puberty can potentially lead to uncertain times. As a transition phase, one may begin to wonder and think about new and unfamiliar aspects of life and feel uncertain about the future. To add to the uncertainty and conflicting thoughts, it is not uncommon to experience frequent and sometimes extreme changes in your mood. These mood changes may occur due to shifting levels of hormones in the body (Raising Children Network, 2011). Also, during this time, it is normal for a boy or a girl to be sexually attracted to people that they would want to be more than just friends with. Social Changes According to Jeffery Arnett, when young people reach puberty, their close-knit relationships tend to change, especially with their parents. Just as adolescents have to adjust to the changes taking place in their bodies, paren ...

1. Changes in Puberty 4
Changes inPuberty
Student Name
Developmental Psychology
PSY 220
Month Day, Year
Changes in Puberty
What is the first thing that comes into our minds when we say
puberty? Well, sex is the most common thought that pops out
from the head of many people. However, there is much more
than just sex when it comes to puberty. Puberty is a very unique
and important evolving stage of all males and females. During
puberty, guys and girls go through many changes that we might
find funny, scary and even a little weird. Puberty is the changes
in physiology, anatomy, and physical functioning that develops
a person into a mature adult biologically and prepares the body
for sexual reproduction (Arnett, 2013). The increased levels of
sex hormones result in a variety of dramatic changes in the
bodies of both male and female adolescents. These changes
affect one’s body physically, emotionally, and socially.
Physical Changes

2. Some of the most significant parts of pubertal development
involves distinctive physiological changes in an individual’s
appearance. These changes are largely influenced by hormonal
activity. For girls, physical changes might start around age 10
or 11, but this can be seen as young as 8, or as old as 13.
Physical changes around puberty include breast development,
changes in body shape and height, growth of pubic and body
hair, and the start of their menstrual cycle. For boys, physical
changes usually start around the ages of 11 and 12, this can be
seen as young as 9, or as old as 14. Physical changes include
growth of the penis and testes, height increase, change in body
shape, erections with ejaculation, growth of body and facial
hair, and changes to voice (Raising Children Network., 2011).
Emotional Changes
Since the body undergoes many changes during puberty, it is
common for one to feel uncomfortable and become overly
sensitive about their physical appearance. As a result, teens
undergoing puberty have a tendency to be easily irritated and
depressed due to their tendency to compare themselves to
others, potentially lowering their self-esteem. Since adolescents
are no longer children nor an adult, puberty can potentially lead
to uncertain times. As a transition phase, one may begin to
wonder and think about new and unfamiliar aspects of life and
feel uncertain about the future. To add to the uncertainty and
conflicting thoughts, it is not uncommon to experience frequent
and sometimes extreme changes in your mood. These mood
changes may occur due to shifting levels of hormones in the
body (Raising Children Network, 2011). Also, during this time,
it is normal for a boy or a girl to be sexually attracted to people
that they would want to be more than just friends with.
Social Changes
According to Jeffery Arnett, when young people reach puberty,
their close-knit relationships tend to change, especially with
their parents. Just as adolescents have to adjust to the changes
taking place in their bodies, parents have to adjust to the new
person their child is becoming. Therefore, parents and

3. adolescents have a tendency to be less comfortable in each
other’s presence. In addition, young people are busy working
out who they are and where they fit in. It is also very common
for them to be more independent and want more responsibilities
when it comes to making their own decisions. During puberty,
young people also engage more with their peers than they do
their parents because they can relate to their friends as they
experiences the same changes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, during puberty, adolescents go through many
different changes. The increased levels of sex hormones result
in a variety of dramatic changes in the bodies of both male and
female adolescents. These changes affect one’s body physically,
emotionally, and socially. The overall appearance, attitude, and
interactions of this young people drastically changes due to
these increased hormones. Puberty is a period in an
adolescences life where they transition from childhood into
adulthood.
References
Arnett, J. (2013). Adolescents and emerging adulthood: A
cultural approach (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.
Raising Children Network. (2011, August 19). Early teens
development: In a nutshell. Retrieved from
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/early_teens_development_n
utshell.html.
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Issue Paper Guidelines

4. 1. The topic of the first paper should reflect your interest in a
developmental psychology concept, fact, or ideal that was
introduced in chapters 1-5.
2. The purpose of the paper is to provide you with an
opportunity to learn about concepts, facts, or an ideals
pertaining to developmental psychology in greater depth than
what is found in the text. Pick something that is interesting to
you and about which you have additional questions.
3. Papers are limited to two pages, double-spaced.
4. Please use 11 point or 12 point fonts.
5. Place a title in the center of the page.
6. Place your name, the class name, and the class number under
the paper title
7. The paper should be organized in paragraphs with the first
paragraph setting the stage for subsequent ones. Use your
opening paragraph to explain the issue and its importance.
Allow the final paragraph to serve as a summary or capstone for
what you wrote throughout the paper. The paper should have a
beginning, middle, and end. Use subheaders if needed to make
the paper easy to read.
8. Writing ability DOES count. One-fourth of your grade on
each paper will come from the use of proper grammar and
composition. Three-fourths of your grade will be based on
content.
9. Use good grammar, spelling, and formatting when writing.
10. Remember and apply the rule of parsimony: Use the fewest
number of words to say what you mean in a way that is still
meaningful to the reader.
11. Demonstrate that you understand how to set your paper up
as requested in these directions.
12. Papers should be submitted through Blackboard by midnight
on the assigned due dates.
Sample Paper: Title Page

5. Heredity or Environment: Which Is More Influential in
Determining Adult Personality?
Developmental Psychology
PSY 220
Sample Paper: Body
Heredity or Environment: Which Is More Influential in
Determining Adult Personality?
Indent five spaces for each paragraph. Start introductory
paragraph. Introductory paragraph should grab the reader’s
attention and lay out in brief form the major issues that will be
address in the paper. Only 4-6 sentences per paragraph. Each
paragraph is addresses one idea or concept.
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6 sentences.)
Contributions of Heredity to Adult Development
Use topical sentence to introduce the point. Use other sentences
in paragraph to elaborate on the point.
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Contributions of Environment to Adult Development
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Summary (Conclusions)
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References
Use APA Style.
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