A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What key finding related to brain maturation did Huttenlocher (1979) discover that is relevant to Barkley-Levenson and Galvan's study?

1. The prefrontal cortex matures by the late teens

2. The prefrontal cortex matures early in childhood

3. The prefrontal cortex is last to mature into early twenties

4. The brain develops uniformly across all regions

The correct answer is: The prefrontal cortex is last to mature into early twenties

Huttenlocher's (1979) research highlighted that the prefrontal cortex is among the last areas of the brain to undergo maturation, extending into the early twenties. This finding is particularly relevant to the work of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan, which investigates developmental changes in risk-taking and decision-making processes linked to the maturation of the prefrontal cortex. Understanding that this brain region does not fully mature until the early twenties helps explain why adolescents may exhibit different behavioral patterns compared to adults, particularly in areas that involve impulse control and decision-making. In contrast, it is not accurate to suggest that the prefrontal cortex matures by the late teens, as maturation extends beyond that time frame. Additionally, the option suggesting early childhood maturation overlooks the significant changes that occur in adolescence and early adulthood. Finally, the notion that brain development is uniform across all regions contradicts the established understanding of brain development, which shows asynchronous maturation among different areas.