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Let's Learn how Your Brain Makes Decisions!

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Let's Learn how Your Brain Makes Decisions!

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Did you know your brain is still developing and growing just like your body?

The most important part of your brain that is still developing is called the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for making decisions, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Suffice it to say this is very important time for brain development and has some interesting attributes

Risk Taking: Because your prefrontal cortex is still developing, you are more inclined to risky behaviors! So tell your mom or dad that next time they catch you sneaking out at night to see your friends!!

Emotional Regulation: The amygdala, which processes emotion, actually develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex, leading you to have more emotions and difficulty managing your emotions. Just remember, you aren't alone! And what you are experiencing is Biological! it was meant to happen. You are still growing, give yourself a break!

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1. Brain Development and Decision Making

2. Stereotypes of Adolescence

3. An Exclusive Interview with a Teen

4. An Analysis on Identity Development

5. A Pop Quiz! (its fun don't worry!)

6. Issues in Education

7. A Reflection and Answers to the Pop Quiz!

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A Guardian outside a school! This one doesn't do much but add character ;)

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What Parents and Schools Should be Doing

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What Parents and Schools Should be Doing

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Adult guardians are an important part of development, providing support when needed. Here are some ways that your parents and the school you go to can support you during this stage of development.

For Parents

Open Communication: Having open conversations without there being a fear of judgement is important for helping us process emotions

Modeling Good Behavior: Monkey see monkey do. The best way to support and encourage your children is by modeling what to do in stressful situations.

For Schools

Education on the Brain: Just having an understanding of things we are discussing here can have a positive effect. Once you understand that the things that you are feeling are natural, I feel that it takes some off some pressure that life always brings.

Supportive Environment: Create a space where students feel included and like they belong. This will reduce emotional stress.

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Stereotypes invade every part of our lives and it can be hard to define ourselves outside those boundaries. Teenagers face stereotypes too. Adolescents are typically painted as a period full of turmoil, rebellion, and risk-taking.

But is it all bad? Lets go right to the source to see how one particular teen is doing.

An anonymous teen was read 3 statements with a task of rating how much they agreed with the statement on a scale of 1 (not at all true) and 7 (extremely true).

1. I usually feel pretty good about myself.

Response: 4

self-esteem varies a lot during the teenage years. This is because of influence from peers, academic pressure, and worrying about physical self-image.

2. Work and School are important to me.

Response: 6

School is a significant part of a teenager's life while they establish friendships and progress towards goals. Many recognize it as an important step for their future.

3. I care about my family, and I know they care about me.

Response: 7

Despite natural conflicts that happen as teenagers chase freedom and continue to grow, most adolescents feel a strong familial bond and understand that their family cares for them and supports them.

What can we conclude and what are the effects of stereotypes?

One of the negative effects of stereotypes is when you internalize the behavior and end up reproducing it yourself. This is called a self-fulfilling prophecy. Stereotyping can also increase levels of stress and anxiety, impact relationships, and even block you from certain activities. One time I had the security guards of the community I grew up in get called on me because a parent thought I was up to no good with my friends. We were just trying to play Pokemon Go! Because of her negative view of teenagers, she assumed we were up to no good! This is just one example of many!

What can teens, parents, schools, and communities do to promote their well-being?

Teens!

Understand the nature of stereotypes and their effects. This can help minimize impact. Surround yourself with people who emphasize healthy behaviors like empathy. Try to be open and communicate your feelings with someone you trust

Parents!

Maintain open dialogue without fear of judgment. Educate yourself on the stages of development so you understand better when and how to intervene. Model appropriate behavior! Parents who model positive coping strategies in stressful situations will provide practical examples for teens.

Schools!

Make sure to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that recognizes that every student is different and has unique strengths and weaknesses. Incorporate life skills into the curriculum, helping them with stress management, decision-making, and emotional regulation.

Community!

Offering programs for youth like rec basketball or flag football leagues will foster peer engagement and leadership. Promote media literacy and advocate for more diverse portrayals of adolescents to counteract negative stereotypes.

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Erik Erikson, a predominate child psychoanalyst, claims that in each stage of life, there is a specific conflict that must be resolved for optimal development. For example Erikson's stage during adolescence is called "Identity Vs. Role Confusion" and is about developing a personal identity and sense of self. This stage typically happens between the ages of 12-18.

If teens are successful in coping during this stage they will develop a strong sense of identity leading to increased independence and clear morals. If teens fail to resolve the conflict they enter "role confusion". This can manifest itself as uncertainty about ones place in the world, a lack of direction, or inability to make crucial decisions about the future.

An example of role confusion might be constantly switching career goals in high school due to an inability to commit to a path.

James Marcia, another renowned developmental psychologist, expanded upon Erikson's concept by developing four identity statuses, which describe the ways adolescents deal with crisis and trauma.

Identity Diffusion

Adolescents in this status have not experienced an identity crisis nor have they made any commitments. They may see directionless.

Exploration and commitment are both low in this status.

Identity Foreclosure

This status occurs when a teen commits to roles or values without considering alternatives. This is often based off parents decisions and not allowing the child to decide for themselves.

Commitment is high, but exploration is low in this status

Identity Moratorium

When in the status Identity Moratorium adolescents will be actively exploring and trying out new roles but have not made any clear commitments. This is considered the best way to handle the identity crisis.

Identity Achievement

This represents the successful resolution of the identity crisis. After exploring options and making a commitment to certain roles and beliefs adolescents can begin to transition to the next stage.

Why are exploration and commitment important during this Identity Vs. Role Confusion?

There is an interplay between exploration and commitment. Not experiencing the crisis of exploration may lead to "foreclosed" identities, while a failure to commit after exploration may lead to more role confusion. Both exploration and commitment are essential for achieving a well-defined sense of self.

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Check out this example identity development for a teenager going through identity vs role confusion! Notice what what important to them, their interests, worries, goals, hobbies, peer pressure and more.

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Get ready for a Quiz! have you been paying attention?

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Get ready for a Quiz! have you been paying attention?

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Which part of your brain is still developing in your teen years and affects your decision-making and emotional regulation?

A) Cerebellum

B) Prefrontal Cortex

C) Hippocampus

D) Amygdala

Erik Erikson described the adolescent stage as a conflict between identity an what?

A) Integrity

B) Isolation

C) Role Confusion

D) Intimacy

If a teenager hasn't committed to an identity but is exploring different roles, according to James Marcia, what identity status are they likely in?

A) Identity Diffusion

B) Identity Foreclosure

C) Identity Moratorium

D) Identity Achievement

True or False: According to stereotypes, adolescence is always a turbulent time filled with constant rebellion

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways schools can help adolescents make healthier decisions?

A) Implementing strict dress codes

B) Teaching life skills

C) Providing mental health services

D) Encouraging open communication

This quiz tests your understanding of brain development, Erikson's and Marcia's theories, and general adolescent development!

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1. B) Prefrontal Cortex - Its the area responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation

2. C) Role Confusion - Erikson's theory posits that failing to develop a strong identity leads to role confusion

3. C) Identity Moratorium - A status involving exploration without making a commitment.

4. False - While adolescence can be challenging, it is not inherently a time of turmoil for every individual.

5. A) Implementing a strict dress code - Dress codes do not directly contribute to healthier decision-making.

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Schools should not be a one-size-fits-all. Depending on the context in which one lives, several different learning styles might work. "Students fare best in settings that fit well with their developmental, culture, and psychological needs. Eccles et al. (1993)"(Eccles et al, 2011). Indeed if we were able to fit the curriculum to every single student's exact needs we would be well off, but this is hard to implement practically. The best thing we can do in school environments is provide multiple options for learning and let the students take agency in choosing their route for completing the assignment.

Many high school graduates feel poorly prepared for college and the workplace.

Employers and college professors typically cite inadequate writing and math skills among high school graduates. Many graduates also lack critical thinking and problem-solving skills resulting from a good formation of the pre-frontal cortex, responsible for executive functioning. "Key cognitive strategies include analysis, interpretation, precision and accuracy, problem-solving, and reasoning." (Conley, 2007).

How can this be addressed?

Expanding different types of programs besides college can provide students with alternative options. Career and Technical training programs can provide hands-on learning experiences. Dual Enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses, which can be beneficial in helping them get an understanding of college rigor.

Why do some teenagers drop out of high school?

Some teens feel overwhelmed by academic demands, especially if their home life is not stable. Economic, familial, or health-related issues can lead to some adolescents choosing work and caregiving over school. If some students perceive the material not to be relevant to them, they will be less inclined to pay attention.

To help, we should implement systems to identify at-risk students and provide specific targeted interventions to prevent dropouts. Offer alternative methods of education such as online education, charter schools, or night classes depending on the individual's particular needs.

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Conley, D. T. (2007). Redefining College Readiness. In Educational Policy Improvement Center. Educational Policy Improvement Center.

Eccles, J. S., & Roeser, R. W. (2011). Schools as Developmental Contexts During Adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(1), 225–241. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00725.x