WK4 : Adolescence part 2

Question 1

Self consciousness (Sommerville, et al 2013)

Answer 1

• 69 participants (8-22 years) had fMRI scans.
  -Told a camera was in the scanner
• Adolescents, when observed by peers= Reported more embarrassment, Showed higher physiological response.
• Adolescences were most conscious compared to other age groups

Question 2

Metacognitive abilities(Weil et al , 2013)

Answer 2

• 56 participants (11-42)
• Confidence ratings after each task
• Accuracy identification improved with age, stable in adulthood.
• Metacognitive ability linked to increased egocentricity and self-awareness.
• Focus on judging own thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Question 3

Personal fable (Alberts et al 2007)

Answer 3

• studied 119 students
• Explored perceptions of invulnerability and specialness.
• PF scores increased with age, higher in adolescents.
• Positive correlation between PF and risk-taking

Question 4

Is imaginary audience outdated?

Answer 4

• Adolescence is a period of social exploration.
• Pressure to constantly perform for others.
• Profound transition to self-awareness and individuality.
• Egocentrism and Imaginary audience both aid identity formation

Question 5

New look model

Answer 5

IA and PF are adaptive coping strategies used to cope with the stressful developmental aim of separation individuation

Question 6

Why do adolescence engage in more risk taking behaviour

Answer 6

Social influence
Brain development

Question 7

Social influence on risk perception (Knoll et al 2015) :

Answer 7

• 563 participants of varying ages rated risk scenarios.
• Afterward, they were shown others’ ratings for the same scenarios.
• Participants then re-rated the scenarios.
• Investigated if risk perception changes based on others’ opinions.
• Initially, children rated scenarios more risky.
• Adolescents and adults had similar risk ratings initially.
• Social influence observed in all ages; children and adults influenced more by adults.
• Adolescents more influenced by other adolescents’ ratings.

Question 8

Peer influence on risk taking - Gardner and Steinberg 2005:

Answer 8

• Groups: adolescents, youths, adults.
• Driving simulation alone or with a peer.
• Alone: Similar risks for all ages.
• With a peer: Adolescents and youths took more risks; adults stayed the same.
• Highlights the influence of peer acceptance on teen risk-taking.
• Risk-taking more likely in emotionally charged contexts.

Question 9

Risk taking and the limbic system:

Answer 9

• Adolescents exhibit high-risk behavior.
• Higher reward sensitivity
• Limbic system, linked to emotion and reward, more prominent and hypersensitive in developing adolescent brain.
• High reward sensitivity may overshadow negative consequences (e.g., smoking feels more rewarding, overlooking its negatives).

Question 10

Dual system model

Answer 10

Prefrontal regions associated with planning, decision-making, and inhibitory control still developing in adolescence.

Question 11

Prefrontal cortex and limbic system:

Answer 11

Underdeveloped rational, hyperactive emotional parts result in more risk-taking (e.g., drink driving).

Question 12

Steinberg, 2010

Answer 12

• Hypersensitive limbic system + later maturation of prefrontal cortex contribute to adolescent behavior.
• Adolescent characteristics linked to brain developmental changes (risk-taking, sensation-seeking, sensitivity).