Final answer:
The prefrontal cortex in teenagers is still developing, which affects decision-making and impulsivity differently compared to adults. The brain's reward center is more active during risk-taking in adolescents, and the values held by teenagers can differ from those held by adults, influencing their behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) undergoes significant changes during adolescence, which affects its performance differently when compared to adults. During adolescence, the PFC, which is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, problem-solving, and controlling impulses, is still maturing. In teenagers, the processes of synaptic pruning and increased myelination lead to a brain that is more efficient and functional, yet still developing.
Adolescents often engage in more risk-taking behaviors and exhibit emotional outbursts because their frontal lobes have not fully matured. Despite having the capacity for adult-like risk and reward evaluation, the adolescent brain is influenced by a reward center that is more active during risk-taking behaviors and values that may differ from those of adults. This developmental stage is characterized by cognitive development that continues into the early 20s as adolescents gain more experience, which contributes to insight and judgment.
In summary, the prefrontal cortex in teenagers operates differently than in adults because it is in a crucial stage of development, refining the neural connections to support complex executive functions. This continuous development is central to the cognitive advances occurring in adolescence, allowing for more advanced reasoning and problem-solving, despite a greater propensity towards risk-taking.