march 31 st, 2011. reasoning / judgment / motivation ability to: control impulses and postpone...
TRANSCRIPT
Maywood Schools Parent Education Program
March 31st, 2011
What were you thinking?
The Teenage Brain
Prefrontal cortexthe “Chief Executive”
Reasoning / Judgment / Motivation
Ability to:control impulses and postpone
gratificationplan ahead / foresee consequencesinhibit / regulate emotionsevaluate behavior (one’s own or others’)understand others’ positionsmake wise choices (evaluating risk vs.
reward)handle social pressures
The Developing Frontal Lobes in Adolescence
Difficulty foreseeing consequences Difficulty planning or setting priorities
(making wise choices) Difficulty postponing gratification /
controlling impulses High pleasure / reward / novelty seeking High risk-taking behavior Exaggerated black and white thinking
(safe vs. unsafe) Heightened emotional reactions, fantasy
life Difficulty handling social pressures
Invulnerable?
Risk Assessment: Mortality
Risk Estimate Actual
Die from any cause (crime, illness, accident, etc.) in the next year?
18.6% 0.08%
Die from any cause (crime, illness, accident, etc.) by age 20?
20.3% 0.4%
Fischhoff, B., Assessing adolescent decision-making competence, Developmental Review, #28, 2008
Are the consequences…
? ?
Bad Likely
Risk Assessment =
Probability X Consequence
Risk Assessment =
Probability X Consequence
X Payoff
Risk Assessment =
Probability X Consequence
X Payoff
X “Heat of the moment”
Two Brains
THE “CLASSROOM BRAIN” “HEAT OF THE MOMENT” BRAIN
What makes the brain “hot”
Heightened emotion Anger Jealousy Fear Sexual arousal
Intoxication Peer “pressure” Impulsivity –
immediate gratification
Why Kids Get High
Peer acceptanceInclusion/Attention / Status / Confidence (social)
Coping strategyTo alter feelings / experiences
Experimentation / curiosity / rebellion
What kids are using Alcohol Marijuana Prescription medication
Pain medications: OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan
Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Valium Sleep medications: Ambien , Lunesta ADHD medications: Ritalin , Adderall
Heroin Cocaine OTC cold medication (“triple C’s”) Inhalants Club drugs (particularly Ecstasy) New fads (Four Loko, bath salts)