“Some of the fine details seem so muddy!” 65-year-old artist Lupita thought to herself as she turned on the light and stood back from her artwork. “Once I loved to work in a studio with nothing more than sunlight to brighten the room, but no longer.” As a student Lupita used to paint live theater performances, sketching and coloring images of ballerinas as she sat in the dark theater. Now she watches theater intently, etching images into her mind to paint later. As an art student, Lupita created many detailed pieces of art with little effort. After retiring from a career in nursing, Lupita rediscovered her love of painting. Recently she decided to repaint one of her favorite pieces of art to create “then vs. now” comparison artwork. Lupita was surprised to find herself

Question

struggling to recreate her work. Controlling the paintbrush seemed much more difficult than it did in college. As Lupita finished a simpler version of the painting, her son, Jesse, arrived and commented that a green does not match. “It’s much more yellow,” he said. Lupita protested, “It looks identical; I don’t see it.” “Mom, it’s not the same color at all,” replied Jesse, “and anyway, I’m here to ask your advice about Nico.” “What about my favorite 11 grader?” asked Lupita. “Your grandson is grounded for driving recklessly. Nico was caught racing cars around the high school parking lot. No one was hurt, fortunately, but Nico doesn’t understand why I’m upset. Sometimes it’s like I’m speaking a different language.” Lupita smiles, “You were the same way, son.”How might neurological development account for adolescent behavior, such as Nico’s?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Suggested Answer: Like most adolescents, Nico’s limbic system has developed more quickly than his prefrontal cortex. As a result, he is more apt to engage in thrill seeking behavior without regard for consequences than he was when he was younger.