Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is (A) when adolescents struggled for early independence, the prefrontal cortex thickened and more brain connections formed. This development of the prefrontal cortex relates to the maturation of functions like decision making and impulse control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study by Paus and others (2007) found that certain activities during adolescence can affect the development of the prefrontal cortex. The correct answer to the question is that the prefrontal cortex thickened and more brain connections formed when adolescents struggled for early independence (A). It is crucial to understand the role of the prefrontal cortex, as it is responsible for various executive functions, including decision making, information processing, and impulse control. These functions continue to develop as the adolescent brain matures through this critical period.
Psychosocial Changes During Adolescence
Aside from the physical development of the brain, adolescents also undergo significant psychosocial changes. They start to carve out their personal identity and develop their own moral and ethical values. Teenagers often test the boundaries of their independence, which can contribute to their development of self and help shape the maturation of the prefrontal cortex.