TED Talks Daily How risk-taking changes a teenager's brain | Kashfia Rahman
Apr 11, 2019
Kashfia Rahman, a Harvard freshman and Intel International Science and Engineering Fair winner, dives into teenage risk-taking behaviors. She conducted groundbreaking research on how risk influences the developing teenage brain. Discover how intelligent teens often make reckless choices due to natural phases of brain development. Rahman explains the role of habituation in risk-taking and shares her personal insights into how repeated exposure to risks alters emotions like fear and guilt, reshaping how we understand adolescent decision-making.
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Teen Behavior Paradox
- Teens exhibit conflicting behaviors, excelling in some areas while engaging in risky activities.
- This raises questions about the underlying causes of teen risk-taking.
The Developing Teen Brain
- Teen brains are still developing, making them prone to poor decision-making.
- However, this doesn't fully explain why teens are more vulnerable than children, or why risk-taking varies among teens.
Habituation and Risk
- Habituation, or getting used to something, can desensitize individuals to negative emotions associated with risk.
- This may contribute to increased risk-taking in teenagers.