Download frequently know the difference between right and

There have been many studies done over the past twenty five years
attempting to find the differences in the adult mind compared to the child or
adolescent mind. In a study done by Elizabeth Powell, studying the functional
differences in the adolescent brain may provide evidence that the nervous system is
responsible for behavior in adolescents between the ages of thirteen and nineteen.
“They tend to act impulsively and irrationally. Testing limits, experimenting, and
acting without considering future consequences.” These are all part of adolescent
behavior according to Dr. Laurence Steinberg of Temple University, he states that
teenage self regulation and impulsive behavior does not appear to regulate until
later in adolescents.
Dr. Laurence also wrote that the once thought teenage rebellious “phase”
that had always been dismissed as simple hormone imbalance because of growth.
This could simply be inaccurate, that the most likely cause of these rebellious
outbursts and indiscretions is most likely caused by the functional differences in
the teenage brain. The differences between the adult brain and the adolescent brain
are most noticeable as the adolescent gains increased decision making the
freedoms to make those choices. Studies in the variations in the brains of
adolescents and adults provide evidence that the actions of the nervous system are
responsible for observed behaviors.
There have been two major studies published identifying the differences in
the adult brain and
the adolescent brain.
The first of those
studies was conducted
then published by;
Dr. Arthur Toga of the
Laboratory of
Neurological Imaging
located the
University of
California. The
study demonstrated
that children
between the ages of
twelve and sixteen had a smaller myelination in the frontal lobes of the brain.
These studies have identified that this area of the brain is responsible for dictating
rational behavior and reasoned weighing of consequences. The myelin process
takes neural cells and isolates lipid layers around the nerve process. The
myelinated processes can more effectively conduct electrical signals from one
neuron to another. Because adults have more myelin in there frontal lobes it
implies that there are more neurons connecting therefor making decisions and
understanding the consequences of those decisions more likely.
Because there is a decreased number of myelination in adolescents it may
mean that the neurons in children and adolescents frontal lobes are not as
connected as adults, resulting in a decreased interconnection and not as capable of
communicating the passing neurons like the adults passing neurons.
The second study was
performed by Dr. Giedd of the
National Institute of Mental
Health. Dr. Giedd studied the
adolescent brain using magnetic
resonance imaging. Dr. Giedd has
identified a growth period of the neuron bodies or gray matter in the prefrontal
cortex; this is a specific section of the frontal lobe. Even though adolescents
contain more grey matter than adults neurons are connected through the teenage
years so the development of the frontal lobes occurs gradually throughout
adolescents, Dr. Giedd concludes that the adolescent brain has not made enough
neurological connection and that the brain requires futher development through
adulthood to full mature into being able to make effective decisions and understand
the consequences of those decisions.
Published on the American Bar Association website is an article from the
Juvenile Justice Center, Cruel and Unusual Punishment: The Juvenile Death
Penalty, Adolescence, Brain Development and Legal Culpability. “[They]
frequently know the difference between right and wrong and are competent to
stand trial. Because of their impairment, however, by definition they have
diminished capacities to understand and process mistakes and learn from
experience, to engage in logical reasoning, to control impulses, and to understand
the reactions of others…. Their deficiencies do not warrant an exemption from
criminal sanctions, but they do diminish their personal culpability.”
Atkins v. Virginia, 536 U.S. 304, 318,
122 S. CT. 2242, 2250 (2002)
In 2002 the U.S. Supreme Court banned the death penalty for mentally retarded
persons, due to their diminished mental capabilities.
Taken directly from this article the following excerpt:
“In 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the execution of mentally retarded
persons. This decision, Atkins v. Virginia, cited the underdeveloped mental
capacities of those with mental retardation as a major factor behind the Justices’
decision.
Adolescence is a transitional period during which a child is becoming, but is
not yet, an adult. An adolescent is at a crossroads of changes where emotions,
hormones, judgement, identity and the physical body are so in flux that parents and
even experts struggle to fully understand.
As a society, we recognize the limitations of adolescents and, therefore,
restrict their privileges to vote, serve on a jury, consume alcohol, marry, enter into
contracts, and even watch movies with mature content. Each year, the United
States spends billions of dollars to promote drug use prevention and sex education
to protect youth at this vulnerable stage of life. When it comes to the death
penalty, however, we treat them as fully functioning adults.”