Ava test personality

3/13/2020 PSY105 & PSY101 - Page 3.19 - Helping Teens Make Decisions (Part 3 of 3)

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Psychology

Investigation Helping Teens Make Decisions (Part 3 of 3)

For this three-part investigation, you’ll apply concepts of brain function and development to the issue of teen decision making.

3 Personality and Human Development / Page 3.19 Investigation: Helping Teens Make Decisions (Part 3 of 3) On this page: 6 of 6 attempted (100%) | 6 of 6 correct (100%) You have 1 reset remaining for the multiple-choice questions on this page. Objective: Apply what you’ve learned about development and the brain to help teens make decisions.

Teenagers still benefit from their parents’ guidance when faced with risky decisions. Parents can help navigate this process if they understand teen psychology and

development.

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Apply What You’ve Learned

Apply what you have learned about human development and the brain to answer the questions on the case study below.

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3/13/2020 PSY105 & PSY101 - Page 3.19 - Helping Teens Make Decisions (Part 3 of 3)

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Ava is an outgoing and fun-loving 16-year-old who is generally a responsible student. When she went to her first high-school party, which was hosted by a popular senior, she expected it to be fun. But the party was more wild than she ever thought it would be. Ava, who had never drunk any alcohol before this party, had learned about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol from health class, her parents, and TV shows. Still, although she is normally a “good kid,” she gave in to peer pressure to play a drinking game that involved beer and multiple types of liquor. Although she got quite drunk, she fortunately did not make any other risky decisions that night. The worst result of her drinking was that her parents grounded her for 2 months. Now, 3 months later, Ava is asking her parents if she can go to another party, and they are not sure what they should do.

Multiple-Choice Question

We can partially explain Ava’s desire to fit in at the party by recognizing that she is in which of the following psychosocial stages identified by Erik Erikson?

autonomy vs. shame and doubt integrity vs. despair identity vs. role confusion trust vs. mistrust

Correct. Erikson identified adolescence as a time when we seek to define our sense of self—our identity—or risk becoming confused about our role in our own life. Because Ava is 16, she is exploring her role as a “good kid” who also wants to have fun with her peers.

Last saved 2 months ago. Multiple-Choice Question

Based on what you’ve learned about teen brain development, why did Ava decide to participate in the drinking game even though she knew the risks?

Her brain is not capable of truly understanding the potential harm of consuming so much alcohol. Ava’s prefrontal cortex prevents her from making a voluntary decision.

3/13/2020 PSY105 & PSY101 - Page 3.19 - Helping Teens Make Decisions (Part 3 of 3)

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Her brain is very sensitive to the presence of her peers and the potential social rewards. Her brain is incapable of making rational decisions.

Correct. When they are in a social situation, teenagers give more weight to potential rewards of risky behavior than they give to the negative consequences.

Last saved 2 months ago. Multiple-Choice Question

Which area of Ava’s brain is still developing and can partially explain why she drank at the party despite knowing the risks?