Teens really are less motivated

Teen brains show less activity in the regions associated with motivation, reveals a brain imaging study.

And adolescents may be more willing to engage in dangerous activities such as drink [sic] driving because this crucial part of their brain is under-developed, the US researchers suggest…Perhaps teens seek more extreme behaviours to achieve normal levels of stimulation in this brain region, he suggests.

Here is a longer discussion. I know I will receive hundreds, maybe even thousands, of angry emails from parents who cannot possibly believe this is true. But the reporting of science must progress, what can I say?

P.S. The skeptical may wish to note that the sample size is twelve teenagers and twelve adults for the study. But alas, no motivated teen wrote to tell me that.

Addendum: Randall Parker adds much more.