The Teenage Brain

I mentioned an article by National Geographic in class today, that I want to start out with in this post because I think it offers a different perspective on the teen brain's "immaturity".  The link is right here for you to read http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/dobbs-text .

First of all the article is leaning towards an adult, most likely parent audience and it's written for a magazine just to put it in perspective.  So to give you a brief summary of the article, the article is presenting a different perspective to the "negative" qualities that put teens at risk.  The argument is that risk-taking, thrill-seeking, and the like are not a result of an immature brain but are evolutionary benefits for teenagers and help them to undertake a large number of experiences when they're mind is developing connections and to take risks like leaving the house that will benefit them as adults.  One of the first studies the article uses as an example is a light test that was given to ten year olds, teens, and adults.  Teens were able to preform almost as well as adults, if offered a reward, the difference is that they had to push harder on the executive areas of their brains, which adults could do more automatically. The study can be interpreted to mean that the immaturity of the brain does effect teenagers, but it can be overcome if they are given incentives, especially when they are offered rewards. I don't know about you, but that doesn't make teenagers seem immature to me, only disadvantaged but able to overcome if given reason to, and since we've created this life stage for them that cuts them off from being adults, how can we expect them to work harder to think like them.

Also towards the end of the article is something we didn't spend as much time on in class, with adult vs. peer relationships.  They mentioned some studies showing that the brain reacts to peer exclusion similarly to threats of existence, which sounds rather extreme but when you think about having connections is a very huge resource when entering the adult world so this concern over having lots of peer connections is necessary for their survival.  Unfortunately they don't go into these studies much...wonder why...but it does bring up the question of how important it is to have peer relationships.  My mom's always told me you need friends of all age groups, older people for experience, peers to relate to, and younger people for when your older friends die. 

So there's some starting points off of today's class, I apologize for the Nat Geo's appeal to all ages article, but I think it gives a different outlook on "immaturity" that I think should be considered.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.