A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

The research conducted by Barkley-Levenson and Galvan examined how adolescents process rewards and make decisions in gambling scenarios, focusing on the neural underpinnings of these behaviors. The conclusion that neural representations of value in adolescents are associated with increased risk-taking behavior highlights an important aspect of adolescent decision-making.

This finding suggests that the brain's reward systems in adolescents are hyper-responsive, leading them to evaluate risk and reward differently compared to adults. This heightened sensitivity may drive them to engage in riskier behaviors, like gambling, due to the way they perceive and process potential rewards.

This research contributes to our understanding of developmental psychology, particularly in distinguishing how adolescent brains, still undergoing maturation, prioritize immediate rewards, often at the expense of considering potential negative consequences. Thus, the answer reflects how brain development influences risky behaviors during adolescence, making it a significant takeaway from their study.