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Content: Studies also show that adolescents have poor risk assessment skills, so they tend to be less risk-adverse than adults. Adolescents have trouble weighing risks or valuing risks as accurately or as efficiently as A growing body of biological, social science and developmental research exists on adolescent development. Studies have suggested that adolescents should be distinguished from adults based on their neurobiological development and for psychosocial reasons. Adolescent brains are not as developed as adults, nor are adolescents as socially and emotionally mature, due to both biological reasons and the inherent lack of experience in youth. Research on Adolescent Characteristics and Development
Juvenile Justice Guide Book for Legislators 5
adults. Adolescents tend to lack future orientation: they are more prone to think about short-term, rather than long-term, consequences. They also have a greater propensity to value benefits over risks and to engage in sensation-seeking activities; several studies have indicated that sensitivity to rewards is heightened during adolescence. Developmentally, adolescents also tend to be more impulsive and emotional—they are more inclined to make impulsive decisions, engage in impulsive behavior, and act recklessly compared to adults.