Understanding the Prefrontal Cortex

What is the main function of the prefrontal cortex?

• Controlling basic body movements

• Helping us make decisions and plan for the future

• Regulating emotions only

• Processing sounds and smells

Why do some people say the prefrontal cortex makes us human?

• Because it helps with complicated thinking, decision-making, and goal-setting

• Because it is the first part of the brain to develop

• Because it controls emotions completely

• Because it is fully developed at birth

At what age does the prefrontal cortex finish forming connections?

• 3 years old

• 12 years old

• 18 years old

• 25 years old

What happens to brain connections at age 3 and again at age 11-12?

• The brain removes the connections it doesn't use and strengthens the important ones

• The brain loses all its connections permanently

• The brain stops forming new connections

• The prefrontal cortex stops functioning

Why might teenagers sometimes make bad decisions?

• Their prefrontal cortex is still developing

• They don't have any connections in their brain

• They are unable to make any decisions at all

• They don't think about the future at all

According to the article, what kind of decisions can young people make?

• Simple decisions like who to be friends with and what to wear

• Only decisions related to their education

• Only decisions that their parents approve

• No decisions at all

What might help young people make better decisions?

• Ignoring their parents' advice

• Letting their parents help with some decisions

• Making decisions without thinking

• Only making decisions when they turn 25

Why do young people sometimes take risks that adults might avoid?

• Their prefrontal cortex is still developing and they may not fully understand the outcomes

• They don't have any emotions

• They always make the right choices

• Their brain stops working when making decisions

What happens to the brain's connections as they grow stronger?

• They help improve decision-making skills

• They disappear over time

• They prevent people from making decisions

• They make it harder to learn new things

What is a key message of the article?

• Teenagers make bad decisions because they are not smart

• The brain continues to develop until age 25, which affects decision-making

• Adults never make bad decisions

• Children and teenagers should not make any decisions