Barriers to Good Decision Making in Adolescence and Practical ...

Erin Hiley Sharp, Ph.D.
University of New Hampshire, Department
of Family Studies
erin.sharp@unh.edu
Thank you to the National Alliance on
Mental Illness New Hampshire
• Claudia Ferber, Child and Family Programs
Director
• Patrick Roberts, Program Evaluations &
Improvement Coordinator
Process of decision making
Influences on adolescent decision
making
Unique features of the adolescent brain
and implications for decision making
Practical approaches to enhancing
decision making in adolescence
1. Identify alternative choices
2. Identify consequences that may follow each
choice
3. Evaluate the costs and benefits of each
possible consequence
4. Assess the likelihood of each possible
consequence
5. Combine all information and make decision
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Individual differences (e.g., temperament)
Peer influence
Attitudes toward risk
“A tale of two brain systems”
Future orientation
Brain development
“Critical period of brain development”
Major changes in brain during
adolescence
(1) Developments in cognitive control
system (prefrontal cortex)
Problem solving, emotional
response, judgment,
impulse control
“Seat of civilization”
• Decreases in gray matter (synaptic pruning)
• Increases in white matter (myelination)
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So what
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Developing in judgment, impulse control,
and logical reasoning
Reliance on other areas of the brain for
decision making (amygdala)
Major changes in brain during
adolescence
(2) Changes in socio-emotional system
• Reduction in dopamine receptors
• Increases in oxytocin receptors
Dopamine = “feel good”
neurotransmitter
Limbic system – pleasure
center
Oxytocin “love hormone” – social bonding
What does this have
to do with
adolescents
What does this have to do
with adolescents
Driven to seek sensation and novelty
Influenced heavily by peers
Hot/cold cognition
Application: What can WE do to
improve the decision making
of adolescents
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• Surround youth with caring adults
• Include adolescents in discussions about
a variety of topics
• Encourage adolescents to think
independently and develop their own
ideas.
• Assist adolescents in setting their own
goals and thinking about future.
• Assist adolescents in re-evaluating poorly
made decisions.
• Reduce risks and reduce exposure to
potentially addictive substances
New Hampshire Department of Health and
Human Services – Teen Resoures
www.dhhs.nh.gov/foryou/teens.htm
New Futures
www.new-futures.org
After School Alliance NH
www.afterschoolalliance.org/NH_3pm.cfm
4-H After School New Hampshire
http://extension.unh.edu/4h/4hafschl.htm
Association for Mindfulness Education
www.mindfuleducation.org/index/html
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Erin Hiley Sharp, Ph.D.
erin.sharp@unh.edu
603-862-2151
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