Teenagers are stronger and more resilient than children, yet their mortality rate nearly doubles during adolescence. This contradiction has puzzled scientists and parents alike. One common explanation is that teenagers are simply reckless or lack good judgment. However, studies show that teenagers are about as capable as adults at recognizing the risks of dangerous behavior. If teenagers understand risks, why are they still more likely to engage in harmful or impulsive actions?Some of the clearest insight into adolescent behavior comes from observing rats. Around seven weeks after birth, rats reach puberty and begin to behave in ways strikingly similar to human teenagers: they spend less time with their parents, seek out new experiences, and become more curious and exploratory. In one study, adolescent rats were willing to work much harder than both younger and older rats to obtain a sweet reward, pressing a lever dozens of times for each drop. This increase in effort suggests that, during adolescence, the perceived value of rewards rises sharply. Similar behavioral shifts across species indicate that the changes seen in teenagers are rooted more in biological and genetic factors, not just social or cultural ones.Research shows that teenage brains process rewards more intensely than those of children or adults. The brain’s reward system is especially active during adolescence, which can make short-term gains feel more compelling and drive impulsive choices — even when risks are understood. Meanwhile, the brain’s cognitive control network, which helps resist short-term temptations in favor of long-term goals, develops slowly and becomes more efficient with age. In children, this system is active but immature; in adults, it works with less effort. Teenagers fall in the middle — the control system is present but often overpowered by reward signals. This imbalance helps explain why adolescence is a time of increased risk-taking. In some cases, especially when cognitive control is weakened by genes, environment, or experience, teenagers may be more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, addiction, or other psychological disorders. Even teens with strong self-regulation may still act on emotion rather than reason in high-reward situations.

Official Solution: Teenagers may act on short-term emotional impulses even when they are aware of potential risks. • Tab 3 states that teenagers may act on emotion rather than reason in high-reward situations, even when they understand the risks involved. Thus, this statement is supported. The brain’s reward system is especially active during adolescence, leading to an increased tendency for impulsive decisions. • Tab 3 states that the reward system is especially active in teenagers and that this drives impulsive behavior. Thus, this statement is supported. Weakened impulse control caused by external or inherited factors can increase the likelihood of mental health issues in teenagers. • Tab 3 explains that teenagers with weaker impulse control due to environmental or genetic influences may be more prone to psychological disorders. Thus, this statement is supported. The cognitive control network is only active once individuals reach adulthood. Tab 3 states that the cognitive control network is active in children, though immature, and continues to develop through adolescence into adulthood. Therefore, the claim that it is only active in adults is false. Thus, this statement is not true. Adolescent rats demonstrate greater motivation for rewards than rats at other life stages. • Tab 2 describes a study in which adolescent rats exerted significantly more effort than both younger and older rats to obtain a sweet reward. This indicates a higher motivation for rewards during adolescence. Thus, this statement is supported. Correct answer: All of the following statements are supported by the information provided EXCEPT: "The cognitive control network is only active once individuals reach adulthood."

This MSR question and its solutions have been completely revised and improved.

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	Teenagers may act on short-term emotional impulses even when they are aware of potential risks.
	The brain’s reward system is especially active during adolescence, leading to an increased tendency for impulsive decisions.
	Weakened impulse control caused by external or inherited factors can increase the likelihood of mental health issues in teenagers.
	The cognitive control network is only active once individuals reach adulthood.
	Adolescent rats demonstrate greater motivation for rewards than rats at other life stages.