Many parents do not understand why their teenagers occasionally behave in an impulsive, irrational, or dangerous way. At times, it seems like teens don't think things through or fully consider the consequences of their actions. Adolescents differ from adults in the way they behave, solve problems, and make decisions. There is a biological explanation for this difference. Studies have shown that brains continue to mature and develop throughout childhood and adolescence and well into early adulthood.

Try out PMC Labs and tell us what you think. Learn More. Adolescence is the developmental epoch during which children become adults — intellectually, physically, hormonally, and socially. Adolescence is a tumultuous time, full of changes and transformations.

By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli. October 17, at pm. The teen years can play out like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, where everyday temptations lead to tough decisions.

It felt as if he turned into an angst-filled teenager overnight. So she decided to use her skills as a neuroscientist to explore what was happening under the hood. That was about 10 years ago, when society at large was only beginning to catch up to the idea that the teen brain was not a fully developed adult brain, just with less mileage.