Adolescent Brain Development

Adolescents is a transitional period of life as child becomes an adult. During this time one endures changes of emotions, hormones, judgment, identity and the physical body which all have significant impact. How relevant is the development of the brain?

The brain changes significantly in adolescents. According to scientists research their brains are less developed then previously thought. For example, the frontal lobe undergoes the most change and is the last part of the brain to develop. The frontal lobe is the most significant development in the brain because it allows one to prioritize thoughts, imagine, abstract thinking, anticipate consequences, plan, and control impulses.

Could this help answer why teens act the way they do? The frontal lobe is responsible for organization, planning, and strategizing which is not fully developed in the brain. Would it be unfair to expect adolescents to have adult levels of organization skills, or decision making before their brain is fully developed? The underdeveloped frontal lobe causes adolescents to react with gut instinct rather than with reasoning. This continues well into adulthood until one responds in a more mature manner. Furthermore, the frontal lobe is responsible for the region of the brain that controls aggression and other impulses. If one has not fully matured prior to adulthood, then it may be unreasonable to expect a mature thought process displayed in adults.

Restrictions on adolescents limit their privileges such as, the legal age to drive, drink, vote, marry, and enter into contracts. Adolescents is a significant transitional period which they are subjected to limitations in judgment and maturity. There is a direct correlation with juvenile delinquency because one has difficulty making mature decisions and an understanding of the consequences of their actions due to an under developed frontal lobe. In contrast, this should not excuse adolescents from punishments from violent crime but it lessens their responsibility.

Links of Interest:

1. Secrets of The Teen Brain
http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101040510/

2. Adolescent Brain
http://www.sfn.org/index.cfm?pagename=brainBriefings_Adolescent_brain

3. Alcohol And Adolescent Brain Development
http://www.duke.edu/~amwhite/Adolescence/