By: Angelina N.
Have you ever acted on impulse and later regretted what you did? Maybe you said something unreasonable in the heat of the moment or made a decision without considering the consequences. This kind of behavior is commonly associated with adolescents, particularly teenagers, whose frequently poor choices and dismissive attitude have given them a bad reputation. Although most people assume that teenage behaviors stem from the lack of maturity related to having fewer years of experience than adults, irrational behavior during the teen years is actually based in science. Specifically, the development of the brain throughout childhood and into early adulthood has a significant impact on our logical abilities, and thus, our behavior.
Parts of the Brain
In order to understand the stages of brain development, it is necessary to be acquainted with the fundamental regions of this wondrous organ. The brain can be divided into four main parts: the spinal cord, the cerebellum, the amygdala and hippocampus, and the cortex. The spinal cord, which is connected to the base of the brain, is the literal backbone for the body’s communication system. It also serves to regulate involuntary functions, such as breathing and digestion. The cerebellum is responsible for the coordination of movement and other functions of the brain. The amygdala and hippocampus control emotion and memory, and the cortex is primarily involved in the perception of our five senses. In addition to this function, a section of the cortex, called the prefrontal cortex, is where fine judgement and control takes place. The development of these last two parts of the brain throughout childhood and the adolescent years explain much of the difference in behavior between children and adults.
Brain Development
The large size of the human brain combined with the narrowness of the human pelvis has made it so that the majority of our brain development occurs after birth.
Rapid development takes place between the ages of three and five, and by the age of nine, the brain has acquired its overall structure and all of the necessary pieces to establish long-lasting neural connections. However, development does not stop once we reach adulthood or stop growing in a vertical direction; in fact, MRI scans have shown that our brains continue to undergo noticeable changes until the age of 30.
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3D visualization of the traced limbic tracts by Yu Q et al.
on commons.wikimedia.org under CC BY 3.0
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Children are born with the limbic system, which is composed of the parts of the brain that control emotion, but they rely on their parents for emotional regulation. This is due to the fact that the amygdala, which is responsible for immediate reactions (fear, aggression, etc.), develops early in life, but the prefrontal cortex, which allows for reasoning and other examples of higher thinking, does not establish connections with the amygdala until later on. In fact, the prefrontal cortex does not experience much development until the transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, which is mirrored by changes in behavior that are usually seen as increased independence and emotional balance.
How is Teenage Behavior Related to Brain Development?
Overall, the erratic emotional outbursts and headstrong choices that characterize the teen years are a direct result of the unfinished development of the prefrontal cortex. Studies have shown that while
adults use the prefrontal cortex to assess situations and determine how to act, teenagers predominantly use the amygdala. This gives them the propensity to perform emotionally-fueled actions, rather than logically-fueled ones. Incomplete development of the logical, rational prefrontal cortex leads to a higher likelihood of engaging in dangerous activities, acting impulsively, misinterpreting social cues and emotions, and exhibiting other examples of irrational behavior.
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Factors that Support… or Hinder Brain Development
Although teenagers may experience a period of time in which their actions lack awareness and/or rationality, they develop more perception of their surroundings as their brains mature. The adolescent years are crucial to the formation of strong connections between the parts of the brain, a process that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic characteristics may be difficult to alter, but there are certainly many ways to build a healthy environment for growing brains… or hinder their development. The infographic below depicts a few things that support brain development and a few things that hinder it:
The teenage brain is a constantly growing, changing structure that is shaped through a variety of internal and external components, from the DNA in your cells to your behavior and to others’ behavior toward you. Its malleability is an incredible characteristic that you can use to your advantage by making good choices starting now, the beneficial consequences of which will accompany you throughout most of your life. However, also keep in mind that mistakes are an inevitable aspect of the process of brain development—the next time your parents get mad at you for making an unwise decision, just tell them that the part of your brain that allows for you to make wise decisions has not yet finished developing (DISCLAIMER: this, however, should NOT be seen as encouragement to intentionally make poor choices because voluntarily making good decisions is an essential part of brain development as well). Technically speaking, it’s not your fault that you pranked your teacher and got stuck in detention, but science’s fault.
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Very well written post! Your explanation of brain development and its effects on teens and adolescents is quite insightful. It's very helpful that you included information on habits that can support and hinder healthy development. As you stated, it is important that teens work to create and instill productive habits that will lead to a healthy, happy and successful future. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting and useful post! I like how that you included information about activities that could support or hinder brain development. I bet teenagers could definitely implement some of these strategies. The summary of brain development is very well written. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is important to remember especially as someone that teaches teenagers. It isn't a reason to excuse inappropriate behavior but at the same time, allows a bit more empathy and understanding as they try to navigate how to make good, healthy decisions.
ReplyDeleteGreat explanation of how the brain develops and functions, especially during the teenage years. The graphic included is helpful in showing how teenagers can reflect on and make decisions,such as adequate sleep and establishing healthy habits, to support healthy brain development. While as noted at the end of the article that this should not excuse poor choices/behaviors on the part of teenagers it can help that they are mindful of this development as well as teachers and parents.
ReplyDeleteBrain development is so interesting and crucial to understanding education. Thank you for this thoughtful post. I love the graphic. It's really accessible and shows kids how they can help their brains develop well. Also, it's always good to understand the science behind some of those crazy choices.
ReplyDeleteI have read this blog it's very good kindly share some more blog like this it's a nice post to get the knowledge .its very useful and informative article I am waiting for your next article or blog.
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I really enjoyed reading your post. As a teacher of high school students and a parent, it's important to be reminded that they are still developing. It's easy to forget this and get frustrated when a bad choice is made. I hope that your post helps people to remember that teenagers are still developing. I really liked your graphic and that you included things that can help and hinder growth. It is easy to read through and points out that good habits, when started early on, become lifelong ones which help us all to be more well rounded! Very well written! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour explanation that the unfinished prefrontal cortex causes teens to rely on their amygdala to make decisions is spot on. I love the great Pictochart demonstrating factors that support or hinder brain development. And your comment to make good choices starting now sounds a lot like what I tell students every day…Make Smart Choices!
ReplyDeleteThis blog post is very informative and eye-opening regarding student behavior. It is good to know the truth, that teenage student behavior and decisions they make are not just related to immaturity but also to the development and establishment of connections between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala that occur during the journey from childhood to adulthood. I teach high-school students so this news makes me much more empathetic to teenagers. Thank you.
ReplyDeletethe prefrontal cortex, which allows for reasoning and other examples of higher thinking, does not establish connections with the amygdala until later on. In fact, the prefrontal cortex does not experience much development until the transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, which is mirrored by changes in behavior that are usually seen as increased independence and emotional balance.
This blog offers important information for understanding the young brain of those that we teach. The information offered is informative and important for educators, parents, and students. I found the Infographic particularly helpful.
ReplyDeleteI am always very interested in learning more about the brain. I am fascinated by learning WHY we do certain things. It is not only important for educators to understand the timeline of brain development, but it is also important for students! Students may not know how the things they are doing (not enough sleep, drugs or alcohol, vaping) are affecting their brains. It's important for adults to understand that an adolescent brain isn't as developed and our students don't readily see the consequences of such actions.
ReplyDeleteJust like athletes take consider every part of the science for their physical well being and training, students and teachers should consider the science and research behind thinking and the brain. From basic maintenance and health like nutrition, rest and damaging chemicals, to practices like metacognition that maximize performance
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