Summary of Argument

The adolescent’s mind works differently from ours. Parents know it. This Court has said it. Legislatures all over the world have presumed it for decades or more. And scientific evidence now sheds light on how and why adolescent behavior differs from adult behavior.

The differences in behavior have been documented by scientists along several dimensions. Scientists have found that adolescents as a group, even at later stages of adolescence, are more likely than adults to engage in risky, impulsive, and sensation-seeking behavior. This is, in part, because they overvalue short-term benefits and rewards, are less capable of controlling their impulses, and are more easily distracted from their goals. Adolescents are also more emotionally volatile and susceptible to stress and peer influences. In short, the average adolescent cannot be expected to act with the same control or foresight as a mature adult.

Behavioral scientists have observed these differences for some time, but only recently have studies provided an understanding of the biological underpinnings for why adolescents act the way they do. For example, brain imaging studies reveal that adolescents generally exhibit more neural activity than adults or children in areas of the brain that promote risky and reward- based behavior. These studies also demonstrate that the brain continues to mature, both structurally and functionally, throughout adolescence in regions of the brain responsible for controlling thoughts, actions, and emotions.

While science cannot gauge moral culpability, scientists can shed light on some of the measurable attributes that the law has long treated as highly relevant to culpability and the appropriateness of punishment. This brief focuses on what science can tell us about the neurological, physiological, psychological, emotional, and behavioral development of adolescents from the perspective of researchers and medical professionals.

Summary of Argument

The cognitive and behavioral differences between adolescents and adults are well-established, both through anecdotal observation and scientific research. This divergence is particularly notable in the domain of risk-taking, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking behaviors. These tendencies are attributed to the developmental trajectory of the adolescent brain, which exhibits heightened activity in areas associated with reward-based decision-making, coupled with a less mature prefrontal cortex responsible for executive function and impulse control.

The neurological underpinnings of these behaviors have been elucidated through brain imaging studies, revealing that adolescents exhibit greater neural activity in brain regions linked to reward processing and risk-taking compared to adults and children. Concurrently, research indicates that the brain continues to mature throughout adolescence, including regions crucial for regulating thoughts, actions, and emotions.

While science does not directly address moral culpability, it provides valuable insights into the developmental characteristics relevant to legal concepts of responsibility and appropriate punishment. This brief delves into the scientific understanding of adolescent neurological, physiological, psychological, emotional, and behavioral development from the perspectives of researchers and medical professionals.

Summary of Argument

The adolescent brain operates differently than an adult's. This has been recognized by parents, the judicial system, and legislatures across the globe for many years. Recent scientific research further illuminates the reasons behind these behavioral distinctions.

Research indicates that adolescents, even in later stages of adolescence, are more inclined to engage in risky, impulsive, and thrill-seeking activities compared to adults. This tendency is attributed to their heightened prioritization of short-term gains and rewards, weaker impulse control, and susceptibility to distractions. Furthermore, adolescents experience greater emotional volatility and are more sensitive to stress and peer pressure. Consequently, it is unreasonable to expect adolescents to exhibit the same level of self-control and foresight as mature adults.

While scientists have observed these behavioral differences for a considerable period, recent studies have begun to unveil the biological underpinnings of adolescent behavior. Brain imaging studies have revealed that adolescents generally exhibit increased neural activity in regions of the brain associated with risky and reward-seeking behavior, compared to both adults and children. These studies also demonstrate that the brain undergoes continuous maturation, both structurally and functionally, throughout adolescence, particularly in areas responsible for regulating thoughts, actions, and emotions.

While science cannot determine moral culpability, it can provide insights into quantifiable traits that the legal system has historically considered relevant to culpability and the appropriateness of punishment. This brief focuses on the scientific understanding of neurological, physiological, psychological, emotional, and behavioral development in adolescents, drawing from the perspectives of researchers and medical professionals.

Summary of Argument

Teens think differently than adults. Parents know this. Courts agree. Laws around the world have been built on this idea for a long time. And now, science is showing us how and why teens act differently than adults.

Scientists have noticed that teens, even older ones, are more likely to take risks, act impulsively, and seek out exciting experiences. This is partly because they value immediate rewards over long-term consequences, have trouble controlling their impulses, and get easily distracted. They also have bigger emotional swings, are more sensitive to stress, and are more influenced by friends. In short, teens can't always be expected to act as carefully or think as far ahead as grown-ups.

For a while, scientists only observed these differences. But recently, studies have revealed what's going on in the brains of teens. Brain scans show that teens often have more activity in parts of the brain that are linked to taking risks and seeking rewards than adults or children. These studies also show that the brain keeps developing, in terms of how it's built and how it works, throughout the teenage years. This development affects the parts of the brain that control thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Science can't decide if someone is morally responsible. But it can help us understand some of the things that law has always considered important when deciding if someone is responsible for their actions and how they should be punished. This document focuses on what science knows about how teens develop – their brains, bodies, minds, emotions, and behavior – from the perspective of researchers and doctors.

Summary of Argument

Teens are different from adults. Parents know this, and judges and lawmakers around the world have known it for a long time. Scientists are learning more and more about how teen brains work, and why they act differently than adults.

Scientists have found that teens tend to take more risks, act on impulse, and seek out exciting experiences more than adults. This is because they focus more on what feels good right now, have trouble controlling themselves, and get easily sidetracked. They also have stronger feelings, get stressed more easily, and are more influenced by their friends. Basically, teens can't always think and act as carefully as adults.

Scientists have been noticing these differences for a while, but only recently have they figured out what's happening in the brain. They can see in brain scans that teens have more activity in the parts of the brain that make them want to take risks and get rewards. These scans also show that the brain keeps growing and changing throughout the teen years, especially in the parts that help us control our thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Scientists can't tell us if teens should be blamed for their actions, but they can help us understand how their brains are working. This information is important when it comes to deciding how to punish teens. This paper is about what scientists and doctors know about how teens develop, both physically and mentally.