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Adolescence is a time of growth andmaturation in the brain.

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Adolescence is also a timewhen many new behaviours

begin to emerge, most of whichirritate and frustrate parents!

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Changes inRISK-TAKINGbehaviour

Changes in ATTENTION

Changes inMOTIVATION

You might be surprised to learn that many adolescent

behaviours are a direct result of brain changes, and

are completely normal!

Typical teenage behaviouralchanges include:

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She wont make her bed! She lives

like a pig! I dont know what to do!

I dont care

I dont want to

Why wont she just do

what I ask her to do?

Leave me alone

He wont study! Doesnt he realize that

he wont pass if he doesnt study?

MOTIVATION:I dont care

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This under-use of the motivational system

might be the reason why teenagers need

extreme rewards to achieve the same level

of brain activity as adults.

AND the difference in brain activity between

teenagers and adults can be even LARGERwhen the reward is not instant.

MOTIVATION:Get Movin Kid!

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Most teenagers are more likely to do theirhomework for a $5 reward TONIGHT than for

a $50 reward next week!

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MOTIVATION:It takes time

The primary motivation circuit

helps promote decision making

and helps in the selection of

motivational drives for behaviour.

The motivational drives that are

represented in the primary

motivation circuit changeduring puberty (for example,

surges in sex hormones tend to

increase sexual motivation).

Chambers et al. (2003)

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Teenagers are known for

risk-taking, novelty seeking,

reckless behaviour and

impulsivity.

Believe it or not, some

degree of risk-taking in

adolescence is normative(and adaptive)!

(Spear, 2000)

RISK-TAKING

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(Spear, 2000)

Risk-taking might allow teens to:

Explore adult behaviour andprivileges

Accomplish normaldevelopmental tasks Learn from their mistakes

BUT, risk-taking

carries potential fornegative outcome!!

RISK-TAKING

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The adult-like ability to inhibit behaviours matures gradually

during childhood and adolescence, and efficient control of

impulsive acts is not fully developed until adulthood!

The teenage brain is less able to inhibitimpulsive behaviours than the adult brain

is. This means that in situations where an

adult might stop themselves from acting

out impulsively, a teenager might not.

Luckily, as the brain matures, adolescents

are more able to control their behaviour

and are more able to voluntarily suppress

impulsive behaviours.

This is because as the brain matures,more brain circuits are recruited tohelp suppress impulsivity!

RISK-TAKING: Impulsivity

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Adolescence is generally a period

of increased impulsivity and risk-

taking behaviour, but some teens

might be especially prone toengage in such behaviours.

RISK-TAKING: What do we do?

Galvan et al. (2007)

So what do teensNEED?

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They need reminders of potentialconsequences and direction

toward lesser risks

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Sun Life Financial Chair

In Adolescent Mental Health

For more information visit

WWW.TEENMENTALHEALTH.ORG