PFC | The Pre-Frontal Cortex and Adolescence
I came across this article while searching out information on the Pre-Frontal Cortex. For anyone working with youth, read the descriptions below and see if anything makes you go “aha.” Perhaps this will help make some sense of what you face.
A faithful reproduction of a lithograph plate from Gray's Anatomy
(Cf. also “Damage to the prefrontal cortex increases utilitarian moral judgments” – Nature.com)
This area of the brain is thought to be involved in
- planning complex cognitive behaviors
- the expression of personality
- moderating correct or appropriate social behavior
- conscience
- the orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals
The most typical neurologic term for functions carried out by the pre-frontal cortex area is executive function. Executive function relates to,
- abilities to differentiate among conflicting thoughts
- determining good and bad, better and best, same and different
- future consequences of current activities
- working toward a defined goal, prediction of outcomes, expectation based on actions, and social “control” (the ability to suppress urges that, if not suppressed, could lead to socially-unacceptable outcomes).
These findings indicate that, for a selective set of moral dilemmas, the VMPC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) is critical for normal judgments of right and wrong. The findings support a necessary role for emotion in the generation of those judgments.
Other factors of life affected by the PFC:
- Cost vs. benefit analysis
- Risk vs. reward
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VIA:
I list these here as a step in the direction towards discovering better how to explain to both teenagers and parents the development of adolescence, to mitigate the conflicts between parents and students, and to alleviate the fear in parents about their child’s future.
I sent an email to the authors asking them these questions:
1. Does discipline (not just corporeal punishment, but teachings, lessons, etc.) actually help the development, and therefore the functioning of the PFC, and therefore the behavior of adolescents?
2. Has there been a link to diet, exercise, etc., in the loss of these neurons in the PFC during adolescence?
3. What is the scientific community’s suggestion to parents and teens if the research is suggesting that this is a natural course of events?
Her response was that these are good questions, but the phenomenon is too new to identify any concrete answers/responses. I’ll be tracking down some other research for my studies. In the meantime, I’ll continue on believing that a moderate “both/and” perspective is most helpful. That is to say that this may be a natural course of biological maturation processes inevitable in adolescent puberty, but there are environmental and social factors that can greatly affect their development. There is still a deep connection and relationship between biology, spirituality, emotions, intelligence, etc. And to relegate any human phenomenon to one simple area is to be dishonest with reality and to abdicate our responsibilities towards our children, and ultimately, ourselves.
Now, let’s go believe in some youth…
Via, so what, if any, implication does this have for cultures where the marrying age is significantly lower than that of the Western, and more specifically American society? I’m thinking ancient Israel, e.g., Mary the mother of Jesus, or even some of those aboriginal people who tend to marry in the early- to mid-teens.
Brian W said this on November 11, 2008 at 00:34 |
Brian W,
Excellent question. I have a couple thoughts.
1. How much of the PFC is culturally conditioned? Sociologists have been telling us that “adolescence” is growing. In fact, the idea and the existence of adolescence is really only about 150 years old. Perhaps even “adolescence” itself is still in its adolescent stage (so to speak). So, did the ancient people have the same biological developmental stage, and merely ignored or dismissed it because of the socio-cultural realities and expectations? Or, has Modernity, due to its growing complexities actually created adolescence, a phenomenon not previously known to humanity? To help answer your question, I feel that these questions also need to be addressed.
2. That many ancients married at such a young age is something to take into consideration when developing our current standards of social behavior and expectations. It does seem that while socially adulthood is being pushed to later years, biology (specifically puberty) is being pulled to younger years. And then we as a society find ourselves in crisis mode when our teenagers are having sex. Perhaps we ought to rethink our cultural expectations. (There is a family I know who married at 15 and 16 years old, respectively. They’re on their third child and have been married over 12 years). Could we find a way to come to a more centered position on the issue?
VIA said this on November 11, 2008 at 15:33 |
can this be often mistaken for ADD/ADHD?
joy bowman said this on November 18, 2008 at 02:02 |
Joy,
I believe ADD/ADHD is actually a different phenomenon, and some have argued, a very recent one. Specifically, electronic media has “rewired” our brains to think and process information in shorter and quicker “microwaved” bits and pieces. While ADD/ADHD can affect PFC developments, I believe they are two separate issues. Thanks for your question.
VIA said this on November 18, 2008 at 07:08 |