Puberty

Hormones & Puberty *Hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland -growth hormone "^ which causes growth spurt -ovaries and testes release gonadotrophins (sex hormones) *males: testosterone *females: estrogen and progesterone *hormones stimulate -growth of primary sexual characteristics (genital) -growth of secondary sexual characteristics (non-genital) -precursors to adult sexuality Sex Differences in Puberty *Growth spurt begins -10.5 years in girls -12.5 years in boys -girls taller than boys between ages 11-13 years *full adult height -17 years old in girls …

…-variant of x-linked androgen receptor that: *predisposes father to unstable relationships *causes early puberty in female offspring who inherit -Comings et al. (2002): significant association between this gene and the following characteristics: *aggression and impulsivity *increased number of sexual partners *sexual compulsivity *paternal divorce *father absence *early menarche in females *Early puberty, early spermarche -Kim & Smith (1999) *509 students surveyed *Finding: earlier spermarche associated with: -less emotional closeness with mother -earlier age of first intercourse -more girlfriends