Many moms and dads do not understand why their adolescents occasionally behave in an impulsive, irrational, or dangerous way. At times, it seems like they don’t think things through or fully consider the consequences of their actions. Adolescents differ from adults in the way they behave, solve problems, and make decisions. There is a biological explanation for this difference. Studies have shown that brains continue to mature and develop throughout childhood and adolescence and well into early adulthood.
Scientists have identified a specific region of the brain called the amygdala which is responsible for instinctual reactions including fear and aggressive behavior. This region develops early. However, the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us think before we act, develops later. This part of the brain is still changing and maturing well into adulthood.
Other specific changes in the brain during adolescence include a rapid increase in the connections between the brain cells and pruning (refinement) of brain pathways. Nerve cells develop myelin, an insulating layer which helps cells communicate. All these changes are essential for the development of coordinated thought, action, and behavior.
Changing Brains mean that Adolescents Act Differently From Adults—
Pictures of the brain in action show that adolescents’ brains function differently than adults when decision-making and problem solving. Their actions are guided more by the amygdala and less by the frontal cortex. Research has also demonstrated that exposure to drugs and alcohol before birth, head trauma, or other types of brain injury can interfere with normal brain development during adolescence.
Based on the stage of their brain development, adolescents are more likely to:
• act on impulse
• engage in dangerous or risky behavior
• get into accidents of all kinds
• get involved in fights
• misread or misinterpret social cues and emotions
Adolescents are less likely to:
• modify their dangerous or inappropriate behaviors
• pause to consider the potential consequences of their actions
• think before they act
These brain differences don’t mean that young people can’t make good decisions or tell the difference between right and wrong. It also doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be held responsible for their actions. But an awareness of these differences can help moms and dads, teachers, advocates, and policy makers understand, anticipate, and manage the behavior of adolescents.
Normal Adolescent Development
Middle School and Early High School Years—
Moms and dads are often worried or confused by changes in their adolescents. The following information should help moms and dads understand this phase of development. Each adolescent is an individual with a unique personality and special interests, likes and dislikes. However, there are also numerous developmental issues that everyone faces during the adolescent years. The normal feelings and behaviors of the middle school and early high school adolescent are described below.
Movement Towards Independence—
• Complaints that moms and dads interfere with independence
• Feeling awkward or strange about one's self and one's body
• Focus on self, alternating between high expectations and poor self-esteem
• Improved ability to use speech to express one's self
• Interests and clothing style influenced by peer group
• Less overt affection shown to moms and dads, with occasional rudeness
• Moodiness
• Realization that moms and dads are not perfect; identification of their faults
• Struggle with sense of identity
• Tendency to return to childish behavior, particularly when stressed
Future Interests and Cognitive Changes—
• Greater ability to do work (physical, mental, emotional)
• Intellectual interests expand and gain in importance
• Mostly interested in present, with limited thoughts of the future
Sexuality—
• Concerns regarding physical and sexual attractiveness to others
• Display shyness, blushing, and modesty
• Frequently changing relationships
• Girls develop physically sooner than boys
• Increased interest in sex
• Movement toward heterosexuality with fears of homosexuality
• Worries about being normal
Morals, Values, and Self-Direction—
• Capacity for abstract thought
• Development of ideals and selection of role models
• Experimentation with sex and drugs (cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana)
• More consistent evidence of conscience
• Rule and limit testing
Young adolescents do vary slightly from the above descriptions, but the feelings and behaviors are, in general, considered normal for each stage of adolescence.
Late High School Years and Beyond—
Moms and dads are often worried or confused by changes in their adolescents. The following information should help moms and dads understand this phase of development. Each adolescent is an individual with a unique personality and special interests, likes and dislikes. However, there are also numerous developmental issues that everyone faces during the adolescent years. The normal feelings and behaviors of the late high school adolescent are described below.
Movement towards Independence—
• Ability to think ideas through
• Conflict with moms and dads begins to decrease
• Examination of inner experiences
• Firmer and more cohesive sense of identity
• Increased ability for delayed gratification and compromise
• Increased concern for others
• Increased emotional stability
• Increased independent functioning
• Increased self-reliance
• Peer relationships remain important and take an appropriate place among other interests
Future Interests and Cognitive Changes—
• Increased concern for the future
• More importance is placed on one's role in life
• Work habits become more defined
Sexuality—
• Development of more serious relationships
• Feelings of love and passion
• Firmer sense of sexual identity
• Increased capacity for tender and sensual love
Morals, Values, and Self-Direction—
• Capacity to use insight
• Greater capacity for setting goals
• Increased emphasis on personal dignity and self-esteem
• Interest in moral reasoning
• Social and cultural traditions regain some of their previous importance
Older adolescents do vary slightly from the above descriptions, but the feelings and behaviors are, in general, considered normal for each stage of adolescence.
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