The attention span of the average fourth-grader is much longer than that of the average first grader.Which of the following biological changes is primarily responsible for this?
A)Increased growth of the corpus callosum
B)Continued myelination of the optic neurons and their connections to the occipital lobe
C)Continued myelination of the frontal lobes and reticular formation and the nerves that link the two
D)Rapid growth of the reticular formation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The frontal lobes are responsible for higher-order thinking skills, such as attention and focus. The reticular formation, which extends from the brainstem to the midbrain, plays a critical role in regulating arousal and attention. The myelination of these two areas and the nerves that link them allows for improved attention span, as well as more efficient communication between different parts of the brain that are involved in attention and concentration. Option A is incorrect because the corpus callosum is responsible for connecting the two hemispheres of the brain and is not directly related to attention span. Option B is incorrect because the myelination of optic neurons is primarily responsible for visual processing and is not directly related to attention span. Option D is incorrect because rapid growth of the reticular formation may lead to too much stimulation and distractibility, which is opposite to an improved attention span.

The Attention Span of the Average Fourth-Grader Is Much Longer