By Carrie Ann Olson Research has shown the more we practice making decisions the better we become at it. Learning how to make decisions and to be able to defend them helps one to be independent and responsible -- a part of growing up. As we look at teen decision making, one has to consider the development of the brain during adolescence. Teens' brains are going through a period of intense development , and they naturally seek out risky, novel experiences and peer approval. As a result, decision making can be less than rational. It's during this period of development that brain wave activity is busiest in the prefrontal cortex . This area is responsible for advanced reasoning: cause and effect, planning, managing impulses, etc. Teens strengthen their thinking about thinking at this time. Along with this development comes actions like teens being quick to point out inconsistencies between adults' words and actions, and viewing conflicts from different perspectives. For...
Our youth development educators bridge research and practice. In this blog, they offer their views on what's happening in the field of youth development, with an eye to evidence-based research written by themselves and others in our field. We welcome your comments.