In: Psychology
How can I make an outline that describes to parents of adolescence how logic and decision making developments (considering "informal reasoning")? I need to use this outline as a format to explain behavioral manifestations of decision making.
The prefrontal cortex is involved in abstract thought and complex thinking such as decision making. However, it has been established in various researches lately that prefrontal cortex is still developing in young adolescents. This is because it is one of the last brain structures and region that undergoes remodelling. It is responsible for executive functioning. Moreover, it is also said that most risk taking behaviours and ‘reckless’ attitude of teenagers is a culmination of insufficient development of the prefrontal cortex and complete development of the limbic system. Therefore, what happens is that emotions and complex feelings are at the peak of functioning and management of behaviour, control of impulses, problem solving, planning and decision making become challenging. Due to this reason, management of behaviour during this stage, emotional support and lending a listening ear to adolescents is a must.