Human Growth and Development / Unit 9 HGD 1204 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Adolescent Brain
Captions available
The idea
The brain reaches adult size, about three pounds, in adolescence but keeps developing into early adulthood, as synaptic pruning strengthens frequently used pathways.
In practice
The prefrontal cortex, serving planning, decisions and inhibition, maturing more slowly than other regions.
Where people slip
Pruning reduces connections, making those that remain stronger; development is refinement, not a simple increase in connections.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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