Development of Risk Taking, Perspective Taking, and Inhibitory Control During Adolescence
ABSTRACT Structural and functional brain development is thought to lead to different developmental progressions of cognitive control, risk/reward processing, and social cognition during adolescence. We compared these abilities in a cross sectional sample of 90 adolescents aged 12, 15, or 17 years old, using computerized measures of inhibitory control (Go/No Go task) risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk task) and social perspective taking (Director task) Fifteen year olds exhibited better inhibitory control than 12 year olds, while 17 year olds exhibited greater perspective taking than younger adolescents. Risk taking was greater in older adolescents than 12 year olds when controlling for inhibitory control. These findings are consistent with earlier findings obtained in separate samples.
Developmental neuropsychology