9.1 Physical Development

• Hormones are powerful and highly specialized chemical substances that interact with bodily cells.
• Secular trend is ascribed to varied factors, such as: interaction of genetic and environmental influences, improved health care and living conditions, and control of infectious diseases.
• Sexual identity involves sexual orientation, activities, interests and styles of behavior.
• Sexual orientation is a person’s tendency to be attracted to people of the same sex (homosexual orientation), of the opposite sex (heterosexual orientation) or of both sexes (bisexual orientation).
• Development analyst Froiden proposed a model for the development of homosexual identity: sensitization, identity confusion, identity assumption, commitment.
• Sensitization is marked by the child’s becoming aware of same sex attractions.
• Identity confusion occurs when the youth is overwhelmed with feelings of inner turmoil regarding sexual orientation.
• Identity assumption is when adolescents come out of the family and assumes a self-definition as gay, lesbian or bisexual.
• Commitment is when the young adult adopts a sexual identity as a lifestyle.