Final answer:
The principle of brain plasticity that illustrates its greater occurrence in younger people is related to the heightened neuroplastic capabilities during early development, including processes like neurogenesis and synaptic pruning. These changes are part of the blooming and pruning periods, with the former involving rapid creation of neural pathways and the latter entailing the reduction of unused connections for brain efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of brain plasticity stating that plasticity occurs more readily in younger people is often referred to as the concept that the nervous system is most plastic during early development. This aspect of neuroplasticity highlights how significant changes can occur in the brain's structure and function, especially during childhood and adolescence. While the brain is still capable of remarkable changes later in life, such as demonstrated by the adjustments it makes following injury or learning new tasks, it tends to be most malleable earlier in life when processes like neurogenesis—the birth of new neurons—and synaptic pruning are most active.
During the early years of development, known as the blooming period, the creation of new neural pathways occurs rapidly. This is followed by a pruning period, where unused neural connections are reduced to make the brain more efficient. Additionally, the increase in myelination and alterations to the number of synapses play crucial roles in the maturation of brain functions, allowing for greater cognitive development. These processes, occurring predominantly in early life, make younger brains more susceptible to change and adaptation.