Download Understanding Teenagers

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ICS School Counseling Department 2017
April 20, 2017
Prefrontal Cortex
Prefrontal Cortex
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CEO of the brain
Does not get fully developed until mid twenties
Prone to risky behaviors due to immature impulse
control
Controls the Amygdala (the emotion center of the
brain in the Limbic System)
What feels good is very important especially to
teenagers, whose brains have not fully developed
Prefrontal Cortex
Limbic System
Amygdala in the Limbic System
(Emotion Center of the brain)
Dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a pleasure seeking chemical
that is responsible for transmitting signals in between the
nerve cells (neurons) of the brain.
 One of the best described roles for dopamine neurons is
in learning about rewards. Dopamine neurons become
activated when something good happens unexpectedly,
such as the sudden availability of food or seeing new
things in a mall or during travel. Surprise brings us
pleasure! When new stimuli are involved, our brain
releases more dopamine.  We experience a
temporary feeling of happiness.
Dopamine
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“The balance of excitatory to inhibitory
neurotransmitters and increased dopamine (pleasure
seeking chemical) activity in adolescence may have
implications for adolescent risk-taking and
vulnerability to boredom.”
Serotonin
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Serotonin – a chemical in the brain that’s involved in regulation of
mood & behavior (I feel this way, so I will do this or not do this. It
can be very dangerous if teens just rely on their feelings to
determine their actions. Their impulse control is immature. -> Risky
behaviors…increased incidence of unintentional injuries, violence,
substance abuse, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted
diseases. )
Changes in the levels of the neurotransmitters Dopamine & Serotonin
in the Amygdala in the Limbic System, the emotional place of the
brain, make adolescents more emotional and more responsive to
rewards & stress. Teens respond especially to social rewards.
(Peer Pressure) The need to be liked by their peers is paramount!!!
Increase in emotional variability (high & low emotions) also can
increase adolescents’ vulnerability.
Cognitive Changes
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Adolescents make HUGE gains in cognitive
development. They begin to think abstractly!!!
By Age 15 – Basic thinking abilities are comparable to
those of adults. (The Prefrontal Cortex is not fully
formed until mid 20’s.)
Thoughts & ideas lead to character & personality
formation (Who am I? I want to be this way and think
this. Why? I want to try this.)
Biological changes in the brain interact with increased
experience, knowledge, & changing social demands to
produce rapid cognitive growth.
Descriptions of Self at Different Ages
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9 yr old: I have brown hair. I have blue eyes. I love sports
and school. There are 6 people in my family. My teacher is
Mrs. Amy. (Fact based thinking)
11yr old: I’m a girl. “I’m a truthful person. I’m not pretty. I
try to be helpful…Mostly I’m good, but I lose my temper.
I’m not well liked by some girls and boys. I don’t know if
boys like me….” (Thinking becomes abstract.)
17 yr old: “I am a human being… a girl… I am a moody
person…an indecisive person… an ambitious person. I am
a big curious person… I am lonely.” I don’t know why I’m
diligent and lazy at the same time. “I am a liberal person. I
am a radical.” “I am not a classifiable person (i.e., I don’t
want to be.)” (Thinking is even more abstract.)
More Cognitive Changes
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Helps with Social Cognition
 Increased
Introspection & Self-consciousness
 Imaginary
Audience – egocentric thinking that many people
are enthusiastically listening to or watching him or her
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Ex. A girl spills soda on her dress at a party.
 Personal
Fable- a tendency to think that a teen’s thoughts &
feelings are unique
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Examples: Getting pregnant is something that won’t happen to
me.
An adolescent breaking up with his or her 1st girlfriend/
boyfriend is a TRAGEDY! This terrible thing has only happened
to me!!!
Around 18 years of age
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By the end of high school, teenagers
conform less with their friends’
misconduct and develop
independence and autonomy. (They
don’t just do what their friends do to
be liked.)