Brain Development During Adolescence

Words: 461

Pages: 2

Open Document

Brain Development and Intelligence

Brain Development during Adolescence

The development of cognitive skills during adolescence is due to a range of factors; time, practise etc. The physical maturation of the brain is also important. The brain continues to develop through adolescence, with some structures not being mature until a person is in their early 20s. Most of this development occurs in the region of the brain known as the Cerebrum, the large top section made up of two hemispheres (halves). The hemispheres are connected and each contains four lobes, the frontal (at the front), the occipital (at the back), the parietal (on top, behind the frontal lobe) and the temporal lobe (beneath the frontal lobe and in front of the occipital lobe. …show more content…
The parietal lobe, which is active when a person is working on spatial problems, the frontal lobe which is involved in higher order processes such as planning and impulse control and the temporal lobe which controls language, including spoken and non-verbal communications. Within the temporal lobes, the hippocampus (learning, memory and motivation) and amygdale (sensory interpretation and response and emotional memory) also continue to mature. Not only do the individual lobes continue to mature during adolescence, but also the connections between them.

Brain maturation occurs in a two step process, with cells first growing rapidly and multiplying, which occurs up until about 16 yrs of age. Then a process where cells being used grow larger and stronger, while less used cells die off occurs. As much as 10% of cells can die off in specific areas, with the ratio of excitatory synapses to inhibitory synapses altering from 7:1 to 4;1 during

Essay on Addiction: Brain and Liberty University Online

During the stage of adolescence many are in the stage of finding themselves. This is stage where the youth are going through puberty. Often times during this stage of life individuals are trying to form their identity. Adolescences are also faced with negative challenges such as peer pressure, bullying, violence, and substance abuse/use. Often times during this stage of life the youth may get off track and try to figure out how to find themselves as an individual. Abuse or Addiction affects the developing…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Brain And Behavior Major Paper

Running Head: Substance Abuse, Adolescence and the Brain 1 Robin Collins Substance Abuse, Adolescence and the Brain The University of Texas at Arlington Running Head: Substance Abuse, Adolescence and the Brain 2 Introduction “This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs.” Those words were used in an anti-drug campaign which exhibited an egg being fried…

Words 3774 - Pages 16

Abuse And Substance Addiction In Adolescence

Abuse and Substance Addiction in Adolescence Dana D. Frazier Liberty University Abuse and Substance Addiction in Adolescences Introduction Did you know that one in 15 high school seniors smoke marijuana on a daily basis or near daily basis, and close to three quarters have consumed alcohol by the end of their high school years (Feldman, 2013, p. 371)? The adolescence years can be characterized by irresponsible behavior and risky choices for some, causing the prevalence of substance abuse…

Words 841 - Pages 4

Effect Of Prefrontal Cortex On Human Development

In every stage of human development, a different part of the brain develops. In the adolescent brain, the prefrontal cortex undergoes major development. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is responsible for abstract thinking; specifically reasoning, judgment and self-control. The prefrontal cortex is the most important word, therefore the biggest. The reason for this being is because it is the part of the brain that is being developed and put to work in the adolescent stage. In this…

Words 371 - Pages 2

Summary Of Is The Teen Brain Too Rational

The brain is an organ that continues to develop during the adolescent years. An article in Scientific American, “Is the Teen Brain Too Rational” evaluates the decision-making processes that occur within the brains of adolescents. The findings were published in the December 2006/January 2007 issue and delved into the reasons why teenagers often make risky decisions and the brain development mechanisms associated with these decisions. A major change that occurs in the brain over adolescence is an…

Words 371 - Pages 2

Pros And Cons Of Lowering The Drinking Age

Allowing adolescents to be able to obtain alcohol in their prime youth and development would be unethical in the sense of giving them easier access to self destruction. Underage teens given the ability to obtain alcohol would only increase the negative effects of teen drinking. In fact, “Underage drinkers account for 25% of all the…

Words 1843 - Pages 8

Case Study: Distinct Or Preparatory Stage For Adolescence

or Preparatory Stage for Adolescence Yenice Canas Guerrero Whittier College CHDV 330 Distinct or Preparatory Stage for Adolescence Infancy, childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, adulthood; why is that list used to determine a child’s stage of development based on their age? In Child Development 330 (Middle Childhood), taught by Kay Sanders in Spring of 2018, we focused on the development of children in “middle childhood” as a distinct stage of development that can also be seen as…

Words 1839 - Pages 8

Childhood Poverty Research Paper

Poverty Emily Hathaway Mount West Community and Technical College Psych 211: Child Development Professor Sean Hughes April 21, 2024 Abstract This paper delves into the effects of poverty on children's development from prenatal stages to adolescence. Poverty causes various stress factors for pregnant women, such as malnourishment, lack of healthcare, and domestic violence, which can affect prenatal development. Infants born in impoverished environments may suffer from malnutrition, exposure…

Words 1665 - Pages 7

Moffitt's Adolescent-Offending: A Psychological Analysis

hypothesized that the brain areas associated with the development of reward seeking and impulsivity, and self-regulation of behavior follow different timelines of development. These differences in the neurological timetables help account for the well-known high levels of risk taking during adolescence. As a general rule, impulsivity, sensation seeking, lack of future orientation and a strong susceptibility to peer pressure characterize adolescent behavior. Risk taking during…

Words 1590 - Pages 7

Growth During Middle Adulthood

How does growth during middle childhood compare with growth earlier or later? Middle childhood is often the best of times. The period between 6 to 11 years of age is generally a time of good health and a window of accelerated growth both physically and mentally where children master new skills. It is also before the perils of adolescence such as eating disorders, stress related peer pressure and personal insecurities. Of course this can be a negative time as well in adverse circumstances. Children…

Words 627 - Pages 3