Teenagers' Risky Behavior is an Act of Exploration

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In past researches, neuroscientists theorized that the reason behind the impulsive behavior of teenagers is weak connectivity with brain reward regions and underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, a part of a brain responsible for decision-making and rationality. However, a new review suggested that adolescent impetuousness is not the cause of low brain development but rather guided by a desire of learning and exploring about the world triggered by their curiosity. Since they are young and lack experience, they try things such as driving, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, deciding what to wear and who to hang out with. They seek sensation and experience new and exciting things and learn something from them. Sometimes, their impetuous acts can lead to problems, which seems okay because mistakes happen the first time.

In conclusion, they explore and seek novelty to build experience so that they can decide better in the future. Unfortunately, there are few teenagers, who exhibit impulsive behavior and weak cognitive control are more likely to have health risks. Their impulsive control problems are often seen at ages 4 or five, so when they reach adolescence, they are susceptible to unpleasant consequences like injuries from a car crash, violence, and acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. So these teenagers need more guidance from their parents or guardians.

So when you see a group of teenagers vandalizing your neighbor's house and wrapping it with toilet papers, try to understand that they are doing it for exploration.

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