ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the changes that occur in the teenage brain. It shows how the changes affect behaviour. The development of all the skills is a direct result of the maturing of the prefrontal cortex and other areas of the brain related to thinking and cognition. High levels of sex hormones, such as testosterone and progesterone, have an impact not only on the development of the sex organs, but they also lead to changes in behaviour. In some young people, the amygdala may develop at a faster rate than the prefrontal cortex, and this is sometimes considered to be an explanation for risky behaviour. The more adults can do to encourage the development of the prefrontal cortex, the better for emotion regulation. For some young people their health or appearance becomes a concern, but again this is not the case for all teenagers.
