Final answer:
Adolescent decision making is often impacted by the immature prefrontal cortex, responsible for executive functions such as risk evaluation, impulse control, and planning. While adolescents may show adult-like cognitive abilities, their risk-taking behavior can be linked to ongoing brain development. The maturation of the prefrontal cortex continues into early adulthood, influencing personality and behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the reasons for bad decision making in adolescents is the immaturity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). During adolescence, the PFC undergoes significant changes. This region is responsible for executive functions such as decision making, information processing, abstract reasoning, problem-solving, evaluating risks and rewards, planning ahead, and controlling impulses. The development of these abilities matures throughout adolescence as the PFC develops.
Adolescents exhibit increased risk-taking behaviors and emotional volatility, which can be attributed to the fact that their frontal lobes are still developing. Functions like judgment, impulse control, and planning that are tied to the PFC continue to mature into early adulthood. Researchers with the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) found that activity in the neural reward center of the brain was correlated with risk-taking, but not necessarily with impulsivity and risk perception.
Historical cases like that of Phineas Gage have shown that damage to the PFC can result in drastic personality changes. This underscores the importance of this brain region in personality and behavior. Adolescents may have cognitive abilities similar to adults, but the complete maturation of the PFC, which contributes to judgment and insight, may extend into the early 20s.