The Adolescent Brain: A Work in Progress

Brianna Williams Ms. James English 1 11/19/24 The teenage brain takes years to fully developed. Teenagers experienced a complex phase of brain development that influences their behavior decision-making and emotional responses. Each text, the teenage brain: still under construction, teens brain are malleable and vulnerable, researcher say’s, and teenage brains, they all explicate differ perspectives on how there brain impact teenagers and there interactions with the world. By comparing and contrasting these passages, the readers can have a better understanding on the adolescent brain fully works. In all three passages share a similar theme in the passage Teenage Brain: still under construction the author stated that an understanding of how the brain of an adolescent is changing may help explain a puzzling contradiction of adolescence : young people at this age are close to a lifelong perk of physical health, strength, and mental capacity, and yet, for some, this can be a hazardous age. Crime rates are highest among young males and rates of alcohol abuse are high relative to other ages. Adding to this complex picture, research is revealing how all these factor act in the context of a brain that is changing with its own impact on behavior. In the passage Teenage Brains are malleable and vulnerable researchers say,: according to the text the author that these studies have concluded that teens are prone to this sort of behavior because the so called reward systems in their brains are very sensitive while circuits involved in self control are still not fully developed, Casey say’s the result has been a perception that adolescent are driving around with no steering wheel and no brake,” she say. The other study looked at how the brain’s outer layer of cortex which plays a critical role in thinking and memory was affected by childhood experiences in 64 people. It found that this layer was thicker in children who got a lot of cognitive stimulation and had nurturing parents, say’s Martha Farrah of the university of Pennsylvania. In the passage teenage brain the text emphasizes the advantage of the teen brain, saying that behaviors often seen as reckless are of an adaptive process for learning and exploration. Understanding the changes taking place in the brain at this age presents an opportunity to intervene early in mental illness that have their onset at this age. Research findings on the brain may also serve to help adults understand the importance of creating an environment in which teens can explore and experiment while helping them avoid behavior that is destructive to themselves. In all three passages they share a different perspective while all three articles explore adolescent brain development, they differ in their potential and adaptability of the teenage brain. In “teenage brain: still under construction” the article shows that the teenage brain is still developing, adolescence is a time of vulnerability as the brain is not fully ready for adult level this stage might take the brain thru challenges teens may not always make the best decision. In Teen brains are malleable and vulnerable, researchers say” this article explains the malleability and vulnerability of the teenage brain. The author discuss how the teenage brain is still in the maturing stage but highly adapt to such as peer pressure, stress and social environments. This malleability means that positive influences. In the article Teenage brains the author stated teens may struggle with long term planning and controlling impulses, even though their emotions can feel very intense. Teenagers often join in more risktaking and sensation -seeking behaviors than adults. Teens may experience things like partying, trying drugs, or engaging in reckless activities without fully considering the consequences adolescents are sensitive to peer influence due to the activity in their brains reward system adolescents try to fit in or feel accepted by peers strongly influence their behavior leading into bad choices. In conclusion the articles Teenage Brain: still under construction, Teenage Brains are malleable and vulnerable researchers say, and Teenage brains the author states that the adolescent brain is not fully mature. These articles stress the brain malleability during this stage and that it is a great time for growth and learning the brain allow new experiences meaning that both negative and positive environment can help shape an adolescent future, while the vulnerability to peer pressure, stress and mental health issues is a concern. This incomplete development makes teens more susceptible to impulse behavior and emotional reactant.