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Structural Differences In Adulthood

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Recommended: Similarities between adolescence and adulthood

As we mature our brain undergoes tremendous changes and we learn to adapt to these changes at different stages in our lives. Our brains function very differently in our adolescent years in contrast to our adult years. In adulthood there is a more efficient use of the brain than in younger childhood. This is in part due to metacognition: the ability to understand one’s mental processes (Feldman, 266). Some major structural differences that occur are the increase in efficiency of the prefrontal cortex, the increase in the number of neurons, and the expansion of neural interconnections. The prefrontal cortex deals with intercommunication of the brain which effects how information is processed. Adults are able to process information more efficiently due to the growth of the prefrontal cortex. Another major difference is brain development is the areas of the brain that are used by different age groups. …show more content…

Young children often act from impulse due to the prefrontal cortex not being fully developed. An example of this is breaking the rules without considering the consequences. Adults often think through their actions and the possible outcomes of said actions, where children tend to act on their first thought. In teenage years decisions are often made from emotion (Giese, 2005). This type of thinking is often recognized in young girls who are in relationships. Young girls tend to make decisions based on boys or the emotions that they feel for boys. Young girls tend to find out what boys are interested in and gear their thoughts, actions, and personality towards fitting that

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