Developmental psychologists, neuroscientists, social psychologists, and others claim that:
A) changes in the brain, such as development of the cerebellum and the hypothalamus, do not occur until late adolescence, so adolescents younger than 16 do not have the cognitive abilities of an adult.
B) the brain is not fully mature until the early to mid-twenties, so adolescents should not be held fully responsible for violent acts that they commit before that time.
C) adolescents should be considered as adults in the eyes of the law as soon as they have completed puberty, because physically they are adults at that point.
D) adolescents who commit violent crimes should be tried as adults because their cognitive abilities and moral reasoning abilities are like those of an adult.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the brain is not fully mature until the early to mid-twenties, particularly in regions involved in impulse control, decision making, and planning. While adolescents may have some cognitive abilities of an adult, they are still developing these skills and should not be held fully responsible for their actions until their brains have fully matured.

Developmental Psychologists, Neuroscientists, Social Psychologists, and Others Claim That