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Digital Peer Interactions Affect Risk Taking in Young Adults
Young adults engage in high rates of risk-taking due to brain development and peer influence. Their socio-emotional and reward networks are highly active, while cognitive control networks are still maturing.
Maturation of the Adolescent Brain
The adolescent brain undergoes significant development, with ongoing changes in its structure and function. This brain maturation, influenced by hormones and environment, impacts self-control, decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors.
People v. Davis
The court upheld a conviction for MDMA possession and sale. It used scientific treatises to classify the substance, even without expert testimony.
Young v. State
A juvenile offender received life sentences for armed robbery, later reduced to 30 years. The court ruled this new sentence provided a realistic opportunity for release, satisfying Supreme Court guidance.
State v. Brown
The court ruled that sentencing a juvenile to multiple terms exceeding a life sentence for non-homicide crimes does not violate the ban on juvenile life without parole.
State v. Hart
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that sentencing a juvenile to life without parole for murder violates the Eighth Amendment. Mr. Hart's case was sent back for a new sentence.
Parker v. State
The court found Mr. Parker's life without parole sentence violated the Eighth Amendment, based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision. This requires re-sentencing for the murder conviction.
Jackson v. Norris
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled mandatory life without parole for juveniles unconstitutional. Kuntrell Jackson, convicted at 14, received a new sentencing hearing to consider his age and crime.
State v. Pearson
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that a 50-year sentence for a 17-year-old was cruel and unusual. The court emphasized considering a juvenile's age and potential for rehabilitation during sentencing.
State v. Ragland
The Iowa Supreme Court found a juvenile's life sentence, even commuted, was unconstitutional under federal law. The Court said the district court should resentence the defendant.
State v. Null
The Iowa Supreme Court sent a juvenile's case back for resentencing. His combined 75-year sentence for murder and robbery was considered a "de facto" life sentence, requiring special protections for juveniles.
Florida v. Harris
The Supreme Court ruled a reliable alert from a certified drug-sniffing dog creates probable cause for a search. This upholds such searches under the Fourth Amendment.
Mutual Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. v. Bartlett
The Supreme Court ruled federal law prevents state design-defect lawsuits against generic drug manufacturers. This limits consumer claims regarding drug design.
Functional Maturation of the Executive System During Adolescence
Adolescence is a key period for brain development and mental health. Working memory improves during adolescence, linked to specific brain network changes.
Impact of Socio-Emotional Context, Brain Development, and Pubertal Maturation on Adolescent Risk-Taking
Research linking puberty directly to adolescent risk-taking is surprisingly sparse. Studies often confuse puberty's influence with other factors like age or social development, suggesting some risk increases may only coincide with puberty.