Doreen Pang Mrs. Trainor AP Psychology 8 November 2016 Module 10-1 Adolescence Adolescence: The transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence Due to improved nutrition ? sexual maturation occurs earlier nowadays Adolescence is often marked by mood swings Begins with puberty: period of sexual maturation, during which one first becomes capable of reproducing; 2-year period of rapid development usually beginning in girls at age 11 and in boys at age 13 Primary sex characteristics: body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible Secondary sex characteristics: nonreproductive sexual characteristics ?female breasts and hips, male voice quality and body hair Landmarks of puberty: boys