Summary Of Is The Teen Brain Too Rational

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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 increase in the amount of white matter in the prefrontal cortex through myelination. This area of the brain plays a role in decision making and impulses. In addition, brain systems involved in regulation and development of reward processing are developing.