- Pre-frontal cortex
- Synapses
- We used to think that brain growth occurred in the first few years.
- Use of MRI to look at growth of the brain – a development in the last ten years.
- Research based on structural and functional growth.
- Brain continues to grow throughout life – does not just stop in a person’s twenties.
- Growth continues well into the thirties.
- Adolescence end with the person in a stable condition.
- Focus on the pre-frontal cortex.
- This controls social interaction, decision-making, planning, (in)appropriate behaviour.
- Synapses are pruned during adolescence; the weaker connections are eliminated.
- Social brain – helps us to read others feelings.
- Causes us to mimic each other’s behaviour.
- Allows us to “read” human behaviour.
