How might adolescents' tendency to engage in such risky behaviors as unsafe sex and experimental drug use reflect brain development during childhood and adolescence
A)The corpus callosum is still developing during adolescence, impeding communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.
B)The left hemisphere matures more slowly than the right, delaying the development of logical thinking abilities.
C)The prefrontal cortex matures slowly, slowing adolescents' ability to think rationally.
D)The limbic system does not develop fully until early adulthood; adolescents therefore have a poor understanding of their own emotions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, planning, and impulse control, matures slowly throughout adolescence. This slower maturation process can lead to an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors due to a not yet fully developed capacity for rational thought and understanding the consequences of one's actions.

How Might Adolescents' Tendency to Engage in Such Risky Behaviors