Final answer:
The difference in arrest rates between those aged 15 to 17 years and adults can best be explained by differences in brain activity and development, with younger individuals still undergoing significant brain maturation affecting behavior and decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best explanation for the difference in arrest rates between those age 15 to 17 years and those over the age of 18 is c. differences in brain activity and development. This period is marked by ongoing brain development, which can impact behavior and decision-making.
During adolescence, individuals are still undergoing significant brain development, particularly in areas associated with impulse control and understanding consequences. This developmental process can result in increased risk-taking behaviors and a diminished ability to foresee the long-term consequences of their actions, potentially leading to higher rates of arrests in this age group. Factors such as emerging adulthood also contribute to differences in behavior, as individuals between the ages of 18 to mid-20s are in a transitional phase, seeking to establish their identity and independence, often leading to different life choices compared to younger adolescents.
While irresponsible parenting, substance use and addiction, increased poverty among adolescents, and other social factors can influence arrest rates, the disparities are more directly correlated with the developmental stage of an individual's brain. Research shows that adolescent brains are still in the process of maturing, affecting their abilities to make well-reasoned decisions and assess risks accurately.