Scientists have tried to explain the tendency of adolescents to extreme behavior
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Earlier, neuroscience scientists believed that the slowing down of the development of the prefrontal cortex and, as a result, the lack of a full-fledged sense of satisfaction can explain the tendency of adolescents to impulsive and extreme behavior. But the study of all the information on this topic has allowed specialists to draw slightly different conclusions. Experts drew attention to all the existing work that was carried out to prove the imperfect functionality of the adolescent brain - a factor that "pushes" children to the extreme. In the course of the research, it was found that the teen's passion for dangerous "adventures" is not related to impulsive and uncontrolled behavior. On the contrary, experts noted that the thirst for a child to reach his "maximum" is one of the manifestations of man's cognitive aspiration, but not a violation of the functionality of the brain departments.
Of course, these behavioral features must be separated from not just dangerous but deadly "tricks", as well as from maniacal search for risky "adventures." Any type of behavior has its own boundaries, which is called the "norm of behavior." "For many years, the behavioral features of adolescent children and their desire to risk were explained only by hormonal changes and the abnormal development of the prefrontal cortex," says the director of the work, Daniel Romer, professor of philosophical sciences, experimental specialist at the Center for Public Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. "Now we have reliable information that the extreme activity of adolescents does not have any connection with impaired brain activity." In the course of their work, the researchers noted that the known theory of brain development does not take into account possible outcomes of risky behavior.
Adolescents have a need for new and emotional experiences - in so-called peak sensations, when the body's capabilities are at a maximum. However, children who direct their passion for the evaluation of human capabilities, have less risk of a tendency to psychostimulating substances and gambling. Scientists note that the high content of dopamine - a hormone responsible for craving for new emotions and feelings - additionally affects the formation of self-control and the need to learn from their own mistakes. In other words, all adolescents need to learn to control themselves and their emotions, gain experience. Specialists prefer that children choose extreme, rather than using psycho-stimulating substances or other kinds of addictions. However, one should not confuse the adolescent's desire for self-knowledge and "a tribute to fashion" - extreme "selfies" for posting on the Internet. Such extreme is sometimes devoid of common sense and endangers the death of not only the adolescent, but also the people around him. The task of adults is to explain to the child the potential dangers and risks, as well as the senselessness of certain actions.
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