Flashcard: The Debt We Owe the Adolescent Brain

Front

What is the purpose of subheadings in a text?

Back

Subheadings break the text into smaller sections, helping to organize ideas and guide the reader.

Front

How do teenage brains differ from children's brains?

Back

Teenage brains are wired for risk-taking, which helps propel them out of their homes.

Front

What does the term 'pruning' refer to in the context of adolescent brain development?

Back

Pruning refers to the process where the adolescent brain becomes more efficient by eliminating unused neural connections.

Front

What activity likely takes up the largest portion of an adolescent's daily activities?

Back

Sleep.

Front

How can teenagers benefit from their developing brains?

Back

Teenagers can benefit from their developing brains through innovation and creativity, as long as their risk-taking is not lethal.

Front

What is the significance of the prefrontal cortex in adolescents?

Back

The prefrontal cortex helps with decision-making and is crucial for managing risk and rewards.

Front

What role does peer approval play in adolescent behavior?

Back

The desire for peer approval can lead to destructive risk-taking among teenagers.

Front

What is a context clue?

Back

A context clue is a word or phrase in a text that helps readers understand the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Front

What does it mean for a brain to become more efficient?

Back

A brain becomes more efficient by optimizing neural connections and eliminating those that are unused.

Front

Why is sleep important for adolescents?

Back

Sleep is crucial for cognitive development, emotional regulation, and overall health in adolescents.