Adolescence

Question 1

What changes do we look at in adolescence?

Answer 1

Neurological changes

Question 2

Describe the dopamine reward system.

Answer 2

Dopamine is released in response to an award.

Dopamine is involved in something that makes you feel good.

Question 3

What behaviours involve dopamine?

Answer 3

Usually risk taking behaviours - nicotine, alcohol, drug behaviour

Question 4

Describe the dopamine level in adolescence.

Answer 4

Baseline is lower

Release level is raised

Question 5

Describe the concepts of pruning and myelination in the brain.

Answer 5

Brain becomes more specialized and integrated

Question 6

Which parts of the brain does pruning and myelination occur?

Answer 6

Limbic system

Frontal cortex

Question 7

Describe the limbic system.

Answer 7

Emotion 
- Limbic system more active in adolescent 
- Amygdala and fear processing 
Motivation 
- Intensification of goal directed behaviour 
Evaluation 
- "Hyper-rational thinking" 
- Pros outweigh the cons

Question 8

Which system matures at a faster rate?

Answer 8

Limbic system

Question 9

List the three functions of the limbic system.

Answer 9

Emotion
Motivation
Evaluation

Question 10

What is the function of the pre-frontal cortex?

Answer 10

Executive skills - impulse control 
Planning for the future 
Task initiation and management 
Judgement 
Abstract thought 
Insight 
Empathy

Question 11

List the behavioural changes that occur in adolescence.

Answer 11

Increased risk taking 
Greater emotional reactivity 
Increased sensation seeking 
Challenging the status quo 
Innovation & experimentation 
Move from parent to peer affiliation