A recent study suggests that most teenagers start thinking more like adults by the time they turn 18.
The study looked at over 10,000 participants and analyzed their cognitive skills, such as planning, staying focused, and resisting distractions.
This research is important for parents, educators, and even the legal system, as it helps define the boundaries of adolescence.
How it was tested
According to the author of the study, executive function, which includes skills like controlling emotions, improves with age and typically matures by 18 years old.
The researchers wanted to create a reliable roadmap of brain development during adolescence, which had been challenging due to the complexity of puberty and individual differences.
The study used big data and analyzed 23 different measures of executive function in participants aged 8 to 35.
The findings showed that executive function develops rapidly from late childhood to mid-adolescence (around 10-15 years old) and then continues to improve gradually until late adolescence (around 18-20 years old), when it reaches adult-level performance.
Why it's important
By having a better understanding of the timeline of brain development, researchers can use this information to track how interventions or medications might affect the developmental milestones.
This can be especially helpful in identifying and treating mental illnesses that often emerge during adolescence, such as schizophrenia, which can impact executive function.
Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights into how teenagers' thinking abilities progress towards adulthood and may contribute to improved diagnosis and interventions for various cognitive and mental health conditions.
