precocious puberty

abnormally early sexual maturity, usually before the age of 8 years in a girl and 9 years in a boy. True precocious puberty is marked by mature gonads capable of ovulation or spermatogenesis, adult levels of female or male sex hormones, and secondary sexual characteristics. Pseudoprecocious puberty is a condition usually caused by an endocrine tumor that results only in premature development of secondary sex characteristics. Also called pubertas praecox.

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

aggressive character

a personality characterized by a hostile or competitive attitude to others and the pursuit of power, prestige, and material possessions. Karen D. Horney defined the development of such a character as one of three basic neurotic trends used as a defense against basic anxiety. Compare compliant character; detached character.