Adolescence
Brain evolvement
We found a widely distributed pattern of positive associations between cortical thickness and g scores, as derived from the first unrotated principal factor of a factor analysis of Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) subtest scores.
When participants were grouped at the age median, significant positive associations of cortical thickness were obtained in the older group for g-residualized scores on Block Design (a measure of visual-motor integrative processing) while significant negative associations of cortical thickness were observed in the younger group for g-residualized Vocabulary scores. These results regarding correlates of general intelligence are concordant with the existing literature, while the findings from younger versus older subgroups have implications for future research on brain structural correlates of specific cognitive abilities, as well as the cognitive domain specificity of behavioral performance correlates of normative gray matter thinning during adolescence.
In general, greater gray matter volumes in these regions of association cortex have been associated with higher IQ scores. Nevertheless, potentially important discrepancies have been reported as well from gray matter volumetric analyses, particularly with respect to sex and age differences.
Menary, K., Collins, P. F., Porter, J. N., Muetzel, R., Olson, E. A., Kumar, V., … & Luciana, M. (2013). Associations between cortical thickness and general intelligence in children, adolescents and young adults. Intelligence, 41(5), 597-606.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3985090/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20greater%20gray%20matter,For%20example%2C%20Haier%20et%20al.
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex
In this functional neuroimaging study, we assessed learning for self and others (i.e., prosocial learning) and the concurring neural tracking of prediction errors across adolescence (ages 9-21, N = 74). Participants performed a two-choice probabilistic reinforcement learning task in which outcomes resulted in monetary consequences for themselves, an unknown other, or no one. Participants from all ages were able to learn for themselves and others, but learning for others showed a more protracted developmental trajectory. Prediction Errors for self were observed in the ventral striatum and showed no age-related differences. However, prediction error coding for others showed an age-related increase in the Ventromedial PFC. These results reveal insights into the computational mechanisms of learning for others across adolescence, and highlight that learning for self and others show different age-related patterns.
these findings suggest that across adolescence prosocial learning shows a more protracted improvement than when learning for Self or No One.
Peer Pressure
it is known that peer pressure can influence adolescents to engage in risky behaviors. Adolescents have a stronger need to fit in and be accepted by their peers, and exclusion from social groups can be particularly hurtful for them. The desire to fit in and gain social status can override the potential risks and consequences associated with risky behaviors. Adolescents who are more sensitive to peer pressure may be more likely to imitate the emotions and behaviors of others. Additionally, the presence of peers during risky decision-making situations may increase the perceived rewards and decrease the perceived risks, further influencing adolescents’ propensity for risk-taking behavior.
see also
Peers, Social Acceptance, and Social Exclusion
Video Assignment A&C Motor Systems Adolescence
Tags: neuroscience science
Superlink: 050 🧠Neuroscience
Quellen
Westhoff, B., Blankenstein, N. E., Schreuders, E., Crone, E. A., & van Duijvenvoorde, A. C. (2021). Increased ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity in adolescence benefits prosocial reinforcement learning. Developmental cognitive neuroscience, 52, 101018.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878929321001080?via%3Dihub
Erstellt: 15-05-22 07:52