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| | The Adolescent Brain
Science
has come a long way over the last ten years to help us understand the
brain and it’s functioning. Thanks to new imaging tools, like the MRI, scientists are able to probe the mechanics of the brain in a way that was not possible in the past.
At
a YSB Lunch and Learn, speaker David Walsh discussed current
understandings of the adolescent brain. A recent Time magazine feature
on the new findings and their implications for understanding adolescent
behaviors provides a condensed version of the material presented in
Walsh’s new book Adolescents—Why do they act the way they do? A Guide
to the Adolescent Brain.
Brain scans research greatly changed our understanding of how the brain matures,
especially during the adolescent years. Although the brain achieves
almost full size and weight (3 lbs) by kindergarten age, it continues
to develop and “wire” up throughout adolescence.
Perhaps the most significant finding is that the last part of the brain to be “wired” up is called the prefrontal cortex. This area is located right behind the forehead and is essentially the CEO for the brain.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for planning, forecasting
consequences, reflection and impulse control. This means that the part
of the brain that makes teenagers more responsible is still maturing
during late adolescence.
The inclusion of new brain development
findings with current knowledge about the influence hormones,
environment, experience, parenting, and relationships paints a more
intricate picture of the adolescent world. It’s a world in which adults play a critical role.
Teens depend on caring and patient adults for structure, impulse constraints and guidance. As an example, a teen is more persuaded by a consequence in the here and now,
i.e., like taking a speaker from a stereo that is too loud, than by
saying, “you’ll damage your hearing”. The Time article lists some
helpful hints for parents: 1) What you do matters, 2) You can’t be too
loving, 3) Stay involved, 4) Adapt your parenting, 5) Set limits, 6)
Foster independence, and 7) Explain your decisions.
New
technologies for healing are uncovering revolutionary understandings
about how the human body operates. It appears that science will
continue to move us in positive directions toward understanding our
humanness and further help us all appreciate our connections with each
other.
Resources:
Wallis, Claudia, “What makes teens tick?” Time, (May 10, 2004).
Walsh,
Dr. David, Adolescents, Why do they act the way they do? A guide to
the Adolescent Brain, Release date: Late Summer, 2004.
This article was written by former YSB Counselor John Ainsworth and published in the Summer 2004 YSB Newsletter.
Dr. David Walsh: Information on Dr. Walsh's work around youth brain development and the influences of the media. | |
