Question

Part A. Which of the following best describes the central idea of the text?

A) Teenagers are more impulsive than adults and small children because their brains process information quicker than any other age group.
B) Teenagers are impulsive when faced with a threatening situation because they have not learned how to avoid dangerous situations.
C) Teenage boys are more likely to act violently because they are more impulsive than girls because they do not respect their peers.
D) Teenagers are more likely to act impulsively when faced with a threatening situation because of the way their brains develop over time.

Answer 1

The text suggests that the central idea is related to the development of adolescent brains, particularly the frontal lobes, which affect teenagers' impulse control and risk-taking behaviors. Emerging adulthood is introduced as a phase of continued growth and exploration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea of the text is that teenagers are more likely to act impulsively when faced with a threatening situation due to the ongoing development of their brains, particularly the frontal lobes which are responsible for judgment, impulse control, and planning. This implicates that while teenagers have the basic cognitive abilities similar to adults, including the ability to evaluate risks and rewards, their decision-making and risk-taking behaviors are influenced by the still-maturing frontal lobes of their brains. Additionally, concepts such as emerging adulthood highlight a period of continued identity exploration and maturation beyond the teenage years.

Against the popular stereotype of the impulsively wild teen, research has demonstrated that severe teen-parent conflicts are rare, and that most disagreements are over mundane matters that tend to diminish as teens grow older. Moreover, the research referenced does not support the notion that teenagers are inherently more impulsive across all situations; rather, increased impulsivity may occur in specific contexts, like risk-taking situations.

Evolutionary perspectives also contribute to the understanding of teenage behavior, suggesting that risk-taking during adolescence may have adaptive value, assisting teenagers in gaining independence and establishing their own families. Throughout adolescence, teens are forging their identities, often exhibiting behavior that seeks autonomy from their parents and aligns with their peer groups.