THE TEENAGE BRAIN AND HIGH-RISK
BEHAVIOR
Or why do I sometimes do crazy things
Stephen L. Londino BA, CDP
Adolescence is a critical time to learn new skills.
Communication skills
Enhancing social skills
Finding and developing relationships
Learning life lessons to help become a healthy individual and productive member of society.
To answer the question “Where do I fit in?”.
In this presentation we are going to talk about
how the teen brain affects high-risk behavior
including:
How the teenage brain works
Peer influence in behavior
What are some high-risk behaviors
The Teen Brain
Frontal Lobe (Prefrontal Cortex)
Cerebellum and Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe (Limbic System)
Neurons
Dopamine Neuron Transmission
Neurotransmitters at workhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_
chkzzvFvoQ&feature=related
Peer InfluencesPeer groups provide:
Provide a place and source to exchange information and compare information.
Provide positive or negative feedback about their abilities and identity.
Determine what is right and wrong, what’s “in”
3 Highly Popular Peer ActivitiesParticipation in sports activities
3 Highly Popular Peer ActivitiesParticipation in sports activities
Hanging out and going to parties
3 Highly Popular Peer Activities
Participation in sports activities
Hanging out and going to parties
Participation in adult supervised and/or organized leisure, promoted by social youth clubs
High Risk BehaviorsSexual activity
Using Alcohol and Drugs
Getting into car with someone intoxicated
Driving with friends in the car(Reckless driving)
Involvement in illegal activities
Impulsive behavior
High Risk BehaviorsSexual activity
High Risk Behaviors
Sexual activity
Using Alcohol and Drugs
High Risk Behaviors
Sexual activity
Using Alcohol and Drugs
Getting into car with someone intoxicated
High Risk Behaviors
Sexual activity
Using Alcohol and Drugs
Getting into car with someone intoxicated
Driving with friends in the car(Reckless
driving)
High Risk Behaviors
Sexual activity
Using Alcohol and Drugs
Getting into car with someone intoxicated
Driving with friends in the car(Reckless
driving)
Involvement in illegal activities
High Risk BehaviorsSexual activity
Using Alcohol and Drugs
Getting into car with someone intoxicated
Driving with friends in the car(Reckless driving)
Involvement in illegal activities
Impulsive behavior
So what is driving these behaviors.
Many studies point to a combination of the role of
peer influence and lack of full brain functionality-
primarily the prefrontal cortex.
One study found that teens that participation in sports
activities and adult supervised social clubs have lower
incidence of alcohol/drug use and delinquent behavior
(Thorlindsson and Burnburg, 2006).
Don’t do drugshttp://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwK350eA4AA&feature=related
REFERENCES Gardner, M., & Steinberg, L. (2005). Peer influence on risk-taking, risk
preference, and risky decision making in adolescence and adulthood: An experimental study. Developmental Psychology, 41(4), 625–635. Retrieved December 8, 2006, from the PsycARTICLES database. (AN dev-41-4-625)
Santrock, J. W. (2009). A topical approach to life-span development (custom ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Thorlindsson, T., & Bernburg, J. G. (2006). Peer groups and substance use: Examining the direct and interactive effect of leisure activity. Adolescence, 41(162), 321–339. Retrieved December 8, 2006, from the Academic Search Premier database. (AN 22251598)
Alberts, Bray, Hopkin, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, & Walter Essential Cell Biology, 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-0-8153-4129- retrieved from 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChpYCDiX348&feature=player_detailpage
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