PSYCH 250 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Mass Media, Testicle, Myelin
Document Summary
Low rates of serious medical conditions (most teens don"t get cancer) In contrast, high rates of risky behaviors that can lead to serious injury and even death. An mri study measured myelin and concluded that it increases during adolescence and beyond. Early and rapid development of two subcortical structures. Amygdala - emotion (both positive and negative aspects) Striatum - rewards - positive social interactions, thrills, drugs. In adolescence, there is a lack of balance between these brain structures. This explains the increased sensation seeking/risk taking, emotions. Increased size of frontal lobe gray matter at puberty onset; then decreases. Gray matter - areas of brain with many cell bodies/dendrites. Dendrites - part of the synapse - receive neurochemical input from other neurons. Suggests overproduction of synapses then pruning back. This makes young teen more open to the environment and willing to learn/try new things. The set of biological processes that change the immature child into a sexually mature person.
