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Context: Parents might tell older children to "Act your age". But some researchers say that is what persons from thirteen to nineteen years old are doing. While teenagers can look all grown up, studies have shown that their brains are still developing. How much this explains their behavior, though, is a subject of debate. Jay Giedd of America's National Institutes of Health is a leader in this area of research. Doctor Giedd has been studying a group of young people since 1991. They visit him every two years for imaging tests of their brains. He says considerable development continues in young people from the teenage years into the twenties. A part of the brain called the dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex appears especially undeveloped in teenagers. Researchers believe that this area controls judgment and consideration of risk. So, its underdevelopment may explain why young people seem more willing to take risks like driving too fast. Laurence Steinberg is a psychology professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. He says stronger laws and stronger parental control are needed to protect teens from themselves. That includes raising the age for driving. He says research shows that teenage brains are not fully equipped to control behavior. Other researchers, however, say there is not enough evidence to make a strong case for such findings. Psychologist Robert Epstein is a visiting scholar at the University of California in San Diego. Mr. Epstein notes that teen behavior differs from culture to culture. He says behavior depends for the most part on socialization. He believes that teenagers will demonstrate better, safer behavior if they spend more time with adults, and are treated more like them. But is that always true? Mike Males works at the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice in San Francisco. He suggests that all of this talk lately about brainless teens could be an attempt to take away attention from the reality. Writing in the New York Times, he says it is middle-aged adults whose behavior has worsened. In his words, if grown-ups really have superior brains, why don't we act as if we do?
human
What is a common saying that parents tell their kids?
gpt
"Act your age"
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Do scientists think it's accurate for parents to say this?
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yes
human
Why do teens act immature when they appear to be grown up?
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Brain development continues into their twenties
human
What area of the brain is still growing during this time?
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the dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex
human
What is its function?
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controls judgment and consideration of risk
human
What behaviors show this lack of development?
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driving too fast
human
Do all scientists agree on this topic?
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no
human
What does Epstein think plays a large role in behavior?
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socialization
human
And his occupation?
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psychologist
human
What do some think parents need to do?
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stronger control
human
Is there legislation that could help?
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yes
human
What is an example?
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raising the age for driving