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and neurons and helps speed transmissions between different regions of the brain, also continues
to grow (Rapoport et al., 1999). [12]
Adolescents often seem to act impulsively, rather than thoughtfully, and this may be in part
because the development of the prefrontal cortex is, in general, slower than the development of
the emotional parts of the brain, including the limbic system (Blakemore,
2008). [13] Furthermore, the hormonal surge that is associated with puberty, which primarily
influences emotional responses, may create strong emotions and lead to impulsive behavior. It
has been hypothesized that adolescents may engage in risky behavior, such as smoking, drug use,
dangerous driving, and unprotected sex in part because they have not yet fully acquired the
mental ability to curb impulsive behavior or to make entirely rational judgments (Steinberg,
2007). [14]
The new cognitive abilities that are attained during adolescence may also give rise to new
feelings of egocentrism, in which adolescents believe that they can do anything and that they
know better than anyone else, including their parents (Elkind, 1978, p. 199). [15] Teenagers are
likely to be highly self-conscious, often creating an imaginary audience in which they feel that
everyone is constantly watching them (Goossens, Beyers, Emmen, & van Aken,
2002). [16]Because teens think so much about themselves, they mistakenly believe that others
must be thinking about them, too (Rycek, Stuhr, McDermott, Benker, & Swartz, 1998). [17] It is
no wonder that everything a teen’s parents do suddenly feels embarrassing to them when they are
in public.
Social Development in Adolescence
Some of the most important changes that occur during adolescence involve the further
development of the self-concept and the development of new attachments. Whereas young
children are most strongly attached to their parents, the important attachments of adolescents
move increasingly away from parents and increasingly toward peers (Harris, 1998). [18] As a
result, parents’ influence diminishes at this stage.
According to Erikson (Table 6.1 "Challenges of Development as Proposed by Erik Erikson"), the
main social task of the adolescent is the search for a unique identity—the ability to answer the