Topic 2: Pre-Adult Brain Development Background Flashcards
When does most of the human brain develop?
In the first 3 months of life.
What has modern neuroimaging helped to discover?
Neuroimaging such as MRI scans has helped discover that significant changes in the brain continue from childhood all the way to adulthood.
At the time of birth, what has developed?
The Spinal Cord and the Brain Stem.
At the time of birth, what still needs to develop?
Limbic system and cerebral cortex. Neruons in the cerebral cortex are produced when a baby is in utero, but they are not well connected.
During the first few years of life, what happens in the cerebral cortex?
A number of synaptic connections develop a baby’s conscious actions, memories, thoughts and emotions.
What happens during the special synaptic production?
Starts in the visual cortex and works its way to the frontal and temporal lobes, which are responsible for higher cognitive and emotional functioning.
What happens at the age of adolescence when there is a change in synaptic production?
Grey matter containing synaptic connections reaches peak volume and begins to decrease in density across several cortical regions.
What is synaptic pruning?
- It is the process of eliminating weaker synaptic connections while strengthening frequently used ones which increases neural efficiency. The environment helps to determine which connections are and are not needed.
When and where does synaptic pruning begin and end, according to Huttenlocher (1979)?
- Peaks during adolescence, and lasts until early twenties.
- In the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making, reasoning, and impulse control).
What impact does synaptic pruning have on an adolescents?
It helps in cognitive and emotional maturity but also contributes to the vulnerability of adolescents to risk-taking behaviors.
What can influence an adolescent’s decision-making and behaviour?
How their brain is developing, hormone changes and environmental changes.
According to Arnett (1992), what type of behaviour are adolescents prone to?
Risk-taking and impulsive behaviour. e.g. drug use
According to Steinberg (2008), what is the reason for increased risk-taking behaviour in adolescents?
The order in which brain regions mature.
- The limbic system (social and emotional information processing) develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex and can sometimes have more influence than that region of the brain. e.g. more likely to get into fights.
According to Casey et al. (2008), what is the reason for risk-taking in adolescents?
The Ventral Striatum controls reward processing and develops early, making adolescents more likely to seek out activities that offer immediate rewards and less likely to manage risk effectively as adults do.
Are adolescent brains immature or just still developing?
They are still developing, not defective.
Why might adolescents take more risks than adults?
Their brains are wired for heightened risk and opportunity, helping them become independent.
How do brain differences benefit adolescents?
They encourage innovation, independence, and social group formation.
