Looking back, my friends and I sometimes discuss how dramatic we were in high school. It was as if the entire world was against us. Now, I actually know there is a biological link as to why teenagers feel that way. The documentary “Inside the Teenage Brain” mentions that teenager’s prefrontal cortex is going through an unexpected growth spurt and there is a thickening of gray matter. This part of the brain has a lot to do with thinking which can give us some insight as too what’s going on with teens. The use it or lose it comes into play with teenagers and they are faced with many risky decisions such as drug and alcohol use. It’s alarming to think that this time is extremely critical for brain development and can end up affecting your entire life. …show more content…
They had wonderful relationships and were readily available when the teen needed them. It’s funny how through all the ongoing research it all comes back to relationships, connections, and positive influences that are in the teen’s life. As a parent I find myself working hard to teach my son about making good choices, and giving him opportunities to find his notch. I hope when puberty hits he can have a good head on his shoulders to make smart decisions, but know that I’ll be here for him no matter what. During my teen years, I remember feeling my parents were against me and no fun. Now as an adult I realize why they were the way they were and am extremely thankful. It is because of their discipline and love I am me. This information will definitely help me as a parent as well as possible future
The court said that because of their youth, their brains are less developed, they are more impulsive, more subject to peer pressure and less able to see the consequences of their actions. Researchers have started to look into the development of the brain from the ages of 3 to 20 years old. Brain research by Thompson and others suggests that teenagers are unformed, less mature and less resistant to peer pressure than adults are. According to Thompson’s research, “gray matter, which brain researchers believe supports all our thinking and emotions, is purged at a rate of 1 percent to 2 percent a year” (89). He also states that, “these frontal lobes, which inhibit our violent passions, rash actions, and regulate our emotions, are vastly immature throughout the teenage years” (89). Teens do know what they have done and they are capable of understanding right from wrong but their brains aren’t developed enough to make fully mature decisions.
Over many years, Australian film and Television has increased in popularity and have been produced solely for the purpose of leisure and entertainment, however some films and TV shows, show Australian Historical depth and are an accurate representation of Australia. A prime example of this is ‘Puberty Blues’. Puberty blues was created and aired in 2012 and was a more modern take on the real life during the mid to late 1970’s. The two main characters, 13 year olds Debbie and Sue are inseparable best friends who set off through the coming of age process. Puberty Blues addresses the sexism of surf culture and youth way of life of teenagers in Australia during that time. Fashion, sexism, surf culture and the adolescence way of life are all elements that contribute to making puberty blues historically accurate.
The article “Dude, Where’s My Frontal Cortex?” by Robert Sapolsky talks about the delayed maturation of the frontal cortex in teenagers and how the underdeveloped frontal cortex is the cause of erratic behavior of teenagers. Sapolsky explains to the reader how the frontal cortex does not fully develop until the age of twenty for a person and how that part of the brain is important for extensive reasoning, impulse control, and emotional regulation. He shows the reader how particularly emotional situations affect both a teenager and an adult differently due to either having or not having a matured frontal cortex. This example that he uses allows for the reader to see how a teenager responds to situations with extreme thoughts and behavior which
The author of the article states that there is no better time than now to review how we are raising teenagers for many reasons. First and foremost there have been many strides taken recently to understand how the adolescent brain develops, strengthening ones understanding, and in turn, shedding light on errors made in the way adolescents are being raised in relation to their neuro-development. This means that because scientists have learned substantial information about the brain recently, it is important to reevaluate how parents are raising teenagers now more than ever. Second, according to the article it is a good time to review how we are raising teenagers because children are becoming adolescents earlier based on their physical maturation increasing faster each year, therefore it is important to examine why this is occurring. Finally, the author states that there is no better time to review how we are raising teenagers because of the recent discovery that the brain is malleable during adolescence due to neuroplasticity, meaning that the brain is able to be transformed during this time period solely based on the environment in which these individuals are exposed to, as per the article (Steinberg, 2014).
Researchers can look at the brain of a teen to examine their behavioral decisions.Teenage brains these years are more active and dynamic which means it’s still developing.Processing in the Limbic system is a result of risky behavior.The construction of a teenage thinking brain is not cable of fully processing necessary to make responsible decisions.At this stage the brain is still developing.The brain changes depending on interactions, helpimg the teen make changes. At this time the brain will need focused and support for a healthy connection.Surrounding impacts the child faces such as challenging situations is an effective technique.Parents need to consider the teens emotional
The article “Inside the Teen Brain’ by Marty Wolner, states that the human brain provides parents with shocking new evidence to possibly explain the sometimes irrational, illogical, and impulsive behavior of teenagers. Teenage years are radically more active and dynamic than they previously thought. So teenagers are left with most of the information reaching their brains being processed in the emotional part (limbic system). Information processed in the limbic system without benefit increases the processing in the prefrontal cortex. It may result in impulsive, egocentric, and maybe even risky behavior choices. The prefrontal cortex of the teenage brain does not excuse inappropriate or irresponsible behavior from the teen. The brain is not yet
The teenage brain Teenagers are known for many things but especially for being unpredictable. They don’t think things through and are always making a scene. Many articles have been written to improve our knowledge and understand these behaviours. Research shows that a teenager’s brain doesn’t begin to resemble that of an adult until the early 20’s (TBHKI). Typical adolescent mannerism is well demonstrated all throughout the play Romeo and Juliet.
The article “Inside the Teenage Brain” by Marty Wolner states that recently, brain researchers have been able to do a great quantity of detailed studies on the human brain. Despite previous thoughts about the teenage brain, development of the brain through the teenage years is very dynamic. The teenage brain is still learning how to process certain information properly in the thinking part of the brain, so often teens may not process all the information necessary to make responsible decisions. Nevertheless, the teenage years can be very stressful for both parents and for teens. Getting through the teenage years can be difficult, but with the right amount of healthy communication, discipline and support the road ahead won’t be so rough. At this
When it comes to the teenage brain it’s obvious that they aren’t fully developed. According to Frances Jensen “a mother, author and neurologist” (83), a teenager is missing the frontal and prefrontal lobes of the brain in which adults possess. “The frontal lobes are the seat of what’s sometimes called the brains executive function and is responsible for planning, for self-awareness, and for judgement” (84). Being that a teenager lacks planning, self-awareness and judgement due to a missing brain function, they are subject to not thinking and being aware of circumstances in a difficult situation. For example, Kolbert states that her adolescent sons participate in a “fun pastime known as a ‘case race’” (83). A case race is when “participants form two
As a teen, the human brain is not yet fully developed. One’s cognitive ability falls short to the ability of an adult brain, which has had more time and is fully developed. In the article, “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains”, research given during a televised conference at the White House shows that teens impulsive and erratic behavior can be linked to the massive loss of brain tissue that occurs during the teen years. With teen brains not being fully developed, and the research explaining and linking their behavior to their brains, I believe
Teenagers are often seen in society as careless and dangerous in the U.S. society. With many articles on adolescence, this thought stays true. Although, in a basic psychology book the author contradicts this thought. The author of a basic psychology book merely states that peers often coincide with parents on encouraging teens to do well. So, what’s the truth? The best way to answer this is to analyze articles that have strong support for their opinion on adolescence. An article by the name of “Why Teen-Agers Are the Worst” by Elizabeth Kolbert explores the possibilities on why teenagers may be dangerous. Kolbert’s thesis is “At moments of extreme exasperation, parents may think that there’s something wrong with their teen-agers’ brains. Which, according to recent books on adolescence,
Teens are wild, mad, insane, and occasionally deranged. We’ve all seen it, and if it wasn’t obvious enough then read “The Terrible Teens” by Elizabeth Kolbert. In her essay, she uses various rhetorical devices such as, metaphors, and climatic word order to keep her writing intriguing. She even keeps the essay credible by showing personal examples of her own teens. Throughout Kolbert’s essay, she effectively uses rhetorical devices, and methods of development to help establish the idea that neurology helps to explain teenagers wild behaviour.
The teenage brain is different from the adult brain version because it is not fully developed. The part of the brain used for emotions like rage and fright, the amygdala is much more developed than the frontal cortex (used for thinking through your thoughts). The way scientists found this out was pictures of Teen’s brains in action. (Teen Brain…). This would explain why teens tend to be more angry and impulsive compared to adults. Teens have a higher chance of impulsive acting, starting fights, do risky behaviors, etc. Knowledge of the teen’s frontal cortex’s lack of development can assist guardians, teachers, and lawmakers in unlocking the answers on management on how to manage adolescent behavior.
The article “Why Teenagers Act Crazy," by Richard A. Friedman provides an extensive examination of the subject of anxiety in adolescents. Friedman’s article is written from the perspective of a doctor who has studied teenagers’ minds. (Friedman, 2014). The focus of this article is the way the average teenager’s mind works and thinks. For a very long time, there has been a mixture of questions concerning the teenage. In contrast to both children and adults, teenagers have a great degree of susceptibility to the idea that they are different and have the drive of articulating their real characters. (Friedman, 2014). However teenagers are always attempting to discover who they really are. Friedman’s article just like the lecture notes on the adolescent concurs that adolescents face much greater anxiety and fear while also encountering more difficult time learning how not be afraid as compared to both children and adults
I was on my best behavior. And there was no such thing as always being happy like I was when I am at home with my parents. I learned what it was like to be picked on, be mad, angry, happy, and develop friendships. I think my family addressed this function well, because I have matured to be able to communicate and socialize with all those around me, which includes how to act and feel.