Are The Brains Of Reckless Teens More Mature Than Those Of...

Overview of the Main Topic In the article, â€Å"Are the Brains of Reckless Teens More Mature Than Those of Their Prudent Peers?†, Epstein and Ong (2009) investigated the relationship between brain maturity and adolescent risk-taking. They challenged the traditional view that adolescent risk-takers had underdeveloped brains. Contrary to the traditional view, recent brain-imaging data showed white matter that resembled those of adults. This provided support for the new claim that adolescent risk-takers exhibited mature brains. This paper will review the traditional view, current research findings, and will analyze criticisms and support for the research question. Review of Key Findings The authors explored the traditional view, focusing on structural and functional studies of grey matter and developmental differences in frontal lobe and emotion-related brain areas. They provided two explanations that weakened this view. First, biological factors were primarily responsible for predisposing risk tendencies. This made it difficult to account for cross-cultural differences. Second, because the brain was responsive to environmental stressors and was able to change accordingly, it was not known whether structural changes reflected those stressors. Subsequent research conducted by neuroscientists at Emory University suggested an association between adolescent risk-taking and mature brain development. Ninety-one adolescents were assessed using the Adolescent Risk-Taking QuestionnaireShow MoreRelatedEffects of Juveniles Prosecuted as an Adult Essay2500 Words   |  10 Pagescriminal acts committed by juveniles. Juvenile records are sometimes sealed f or public records or dismissed. The theory that juveniles are not mature enough to intentionally commit a crime has been around since the development of psychology as a science. In the 18th century, the authors of the English criminal code concluded that children, younger than seven had not acquired the mental ability to commit a crime such as murder, rape, burglary, etc. These experts used the following acts to determineRead MoreWhy Do We Get Married7407 Words   |  30 Pagesdrinking. It is only in the movies that bachelors look young and carefree. If you see men who are single, after the age of 28 or so, you will find that they look older and more worn out than married persons of the same age. Scores of studies done in North America and Western Europe shows that married people enjoy better health than singles. They also live longer. Take mental health for instance. Singles outnumber married individuals by three to one in mental hospitals. Outnumbering the singles howeverRead MoreMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesgeneration of entrepreneurs. A fair number of the older cases have faced significant changes in the last few years, for better or for worse, and these we have captured to add to learning insights. After so many years of investigating mistakes, and more recently successes also, it might seem a challenge to keep these new editions fresh and interesting. The joy of the chase has made this an intriguing endeavor through the decades. Still, it is always difficult to abandon interesting cases that haveRead MoreManagement Course: Mba−10 General Management215330 Words   |  862 Pages1. New Management for Business Growth in a Demanding Economy Text  © The McGraw−Hill Companies, 2004 3 the strong business growth of pacesetter companies in the United States and throughout the world? How can companies renew and sustain those factors in the face of the business slowdowns and major fluctuations that challenge the longterm continuation of profitable earnings? As we continue to experience the twenty-first century’s economic, social, and political churning, how will these driving