Adolescent Development

Question 1

Describe the purpose of synaptic pruning which occurs in brain development during adolescence

Answer 1

pruning helps to retire the brain into adult typical pattern

decreases number of synapses to increase efficiency and speed of processing by the brain

Question 2

Synaptic pruning in adolescence mainly affects white matter. T/F?

Answer 2

False - it mainly affects grey matter cell bodies

Question 3

In addition to synaptic pruning what other change in the brain allow increased speed and efficiency of information in the adolescent brain?

Answer 3

Increased myelination

Question 4

Synaptic pruning occurs in waves across the brain. In which regions of the brain does this process occur in initially?

Answer 4

Synaptic pruning begins in posterior regions and occurs in waves which slowly work forwards

Question 5

Describe how the ‘waves’ in which synaptic pruning occur are thought to explain adolescent behaviour?

Answer 5

Because more posterior structures undergo synaptic pruning before more anterior structures, the limbic regions which are involved in emotional processing and memory mature more quickly than prefrontal regions which are responsible for logical reasoning and regulating impulses

Question 6

Adolescents particularly struggle to control impulses in highly emotional situations. T/F?

Answer 6

True

Question 7

There is an increased response to dopamine and reward pathways in adolescent brain which can account for increased risk taking behaviour. What other factor accounts for this behaviour?

Answer 7

decreased processing of threats, penalties and conflicts by the prefrontal cortex

Question 8

Synaptic pruning and myelination are influence in part by experience i.e. by how much a particular neuron is used. T/F?

Answer 8

True - use it or lose it

Question 9

There is a greater capacity for neural plasticity in adolescent brains than adult brains. T/F?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What social changes occur in adolescent development?

Answer 10

Emotional separation from parents and stronger peer identification
increased health risks
development of vocational capability
development of social autonomy
development of financial independence

Question 11

What psychological changes occur in adolescent development?

Answer 11

development of abstract thinking
identification of difference between law and morality
increasing impulse control
development of personal identity
development or rejection of religious and political ideologies