When are you actually an adult? - Shannon Odell

Summary

The video script explores the concept of adulthood and the debate over the appropriate age for granting certain freedoms and responsibilities. It discusses the arbitrary nature of age-based criteria, such as the voting age, and the varying maturity levels among individuals. The script delves into neuroscience, explaining how brain development, particularly the changes in gray and white matter, correlates with cognitive development and maturity. It highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to when someone becomes an adult, as this is influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and personal experiences.

Takeaways

• 📊 Most countries define 18 as the age of adulthood, granting various freedoms and privileges.
• 🗳️ There is a debate about whether age is the best measure of maturity, especially regarding the right to vote.
• 🎉 Some individuals argue for lowering the voting age to 16, while others believe 16-year-olds are not mature enough for such responsibilities.
• 🚗 The script uses driving as an analogy to discuss maturity, with differing opinions on the capabilities of younger individuals.
• 🧠 Neuroscientists have attempted to define adulthood through brain development, focusing on the maturation of gray and white matter.
• 🌐 Gray matter reduction in the brain is a process of selective pruning, strengthening used connections and eliminating under-used ones.
• 🔗 White matter in the brain increases, allowing for fast, long-range communication between different regions, aiding in decision-making.
• 📉 Brain imaging studies show significant changes in gray and white matter volumes during adolescence and into the twenties.
• 🧐 Cognitive development is another way scientists define adulthood, with some suggesting it begins as early as 16 based on reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
• 💔 Emotional and social influences can affect decision-making in young adults, causing them to behave more like younger teens under certain conditions.
• 🏛 Some scientists argue for the expansion of juvenile courts to include late teens and early twenties due to the ongoing changes in the brain during this period.
• 🌊 Neuroscience suggests that maturity comes in waves, with different abilities and behaviors maturing at different times, influenced by genetics, environment, and experience.

Q & A

What is the common age recognized by most countries as the start of adulthood?

Most countries recognize 18 as the start of adulthood, by granting various freedoms and privileges.

Why does the speaker argue that the voting age should be lowered to 16?

The speaker argues that the voting age should be lowered to 16 because they believe that age is an arbitrary and unfair measure of maturity.

What is the speaker's counterargument against lowering the voting age to 16?

The counterargument is that 16-year-olds are not mature enough to make decisions with national consequences.

How does the speaker's sibling justify their eligibility to vote despite being only 15 minutes older?

The sibling justifies their eligibility by stating that they were born 15 minutes earlier, which makes them old enough to vote in the upcoming election.

What is the scientific approach to defining adulthood according to the script?

The scientific approach to defining adulthood involves looking at brain development, including the reduction of gray matter and the increase in white matter.

What is the role of gray matter in brain development?

Gray matter consists of cells and connections that facilitate short-range communication, creating dense information-processing hubs. Its reduction during development is a selective pruning process that strengthens used connections and weeds out under-used ones.

What does white matter in the brain refer to and what is its function?

White matter refers to myelinated connections that allow for fast, far-range communication between information hubs in the brain.

How do imaging studies show the changes in the brain during adolescence?

Imaging studies show that both white and gray matter volumes undergo drastic changes during adolescence and continue through the twenties.

What cognitive development milestone might indicate the start of adulthood according to some scientists?

According to some scientists, adulthood may begin as early as 16, as teens perform just as well on tests that assess reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

How do emotional and social elements influence the behavior of 18 to 21 year olds during cognitive tasks?

When cognitive tasks include an emotional or social element, 18 to 21 year olds tend to behave more like younger teens, showing younger-teen-like patterns of brain activity.

Why do some scientists argue for the expansion of juvenile courts to include those in their late teens and early twenties?

Scientists argue for this expansion because current systems fail to recognize that the emerging adult brain is still changing and is more susceptible to social and emotional influences.

What does the script suggest about the uniqueness of an individual's journey to adulthood?

The script suggests that each person's journey to adulthood is unique and influenced by genetics, environment, and experience, with different brain regions and mental abilities maturing at different times.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ The Debate on the Age of Adulthood and Voting Rights

This paragraph introduces a debate on whether age is an appropriate measure of maturity, particularly in relation to the right to vote. The script presents a hypothetical scenario where two siblings, born just minutes apart, have different eligibility to vote due to their birth times. It highlights the arbitrary nature of the current age limits and the differing views on whether 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote. The paragraph also touches on the idea that maturity might be better assessed through cognitive development rather than age alone.

🧠 Brain Development and the Quest for Defining Adulthood

The paragraph delves into the scientific approach to defining adulthood, focusing on brain development. It explains the reduction of gray matter and the increase in white matter as key developmental trajectories. The script describes how gray matter reduction is a selective pruning process that strengthens used connections and weeds out under-used ones, leading to an energy-efficient and fine-tuned brain. The increase in white matter, which facilitates fast communication between different brain regions, is also discussed. The paragraph further explores how these changes in brain structure continue into one's twenties and how they might influence cognitive abilities and decision-making.

🧐 Cognitive Development and the Timing of Adulthood

This section examines cognitive development as a potential marker for adulthood. It suggests that by the age of 16, teenagers may perform as well as adults on tests measuring reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. However, the paragraph also points out that teenagers might be more susceptible to external pressures and emotional or social influences, which can affect their decision-making. The script discusses how 18 to 21-year-olds behave similarly to older adults in certain tasks but exhibit younger-teen-like patterns when emotions or social elements are involved. It concludes by arguing that the judicial system should consider the ongoing changes in the brain during late teens and early twenties when determining legal responsibility.

🌊 The Waves of Maturity and the Unique Journey to Adulthood

The final paragraph emphasizes that there is no single age or moment that universally defines adulthood. It suggests that maturity comes in waves, with different brain regions and mental abilities maturing at different times. The script acknowledges the uniqueness of each individual's journey to adulthood, influenced by genetics, environment, and personal experiences. It concludes by stating that the concept of adulthood is not fixed but rather a fluid and evolving process.

Keywords

💡Adulthood

Adulthood refers to the period of life when an individual is considered fully grown and legally responsible. In the video's context, it discusses the debate over the age at which one is considered an adult, with a focus on the legal age for voting and driving. The script mentions that most countries recognize 18 as the start of adulthood, but questions whether age is the best measure of maturity.

💡Maturity

Maturity is the state of being fully developed or grown, both physically and mentally. The video explores the concept of maturity in relation to age, suggesting that it may not be the best indicator of an individual's readiness for adult responsibilities. It is a central theme as the characters debate whether 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote and make national decisions.

💡Voting Age

The voting age is the minimum age at which a person is legally allowed to vote in an election. The script discusses the argument for lowering the voting age to 16, suggesting that some individuals at this age may be more informed and responsible than older individuals who are eligible to vote but may not be as engaged in the political process.

💡Gray Matter

Gray matter is the part of the brain composed of cell bodies and connections that facilitate short-range communication, forming information-processing hubs. The script explains that a reduction in gray matter during adolescence is a part of selective pruning, where used connections are strengthened, and unused ones are eliminated, contributing to a more efficient brain.

💡White Matter

White matter consists of myelinated connections in the brain that allow for fast, long-range communication between different regions. The video script mentions that an increase in white matter is part of brain development, which is crucial for making balanced and forward-thinking decisions.

💡Brain Development

Brain development refers to the process of growth and maturation of the brain from infancy to adulthood. The script describes how brain development involves changes in both gray and white matter, which are significant in reaching cognitive milestones and are still ongoing into the twenties.

💡Cognitive Development

Cognitive development is the process of acquiring mental abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The video script suggests that by the age of 16, teenagers can perform as well as adults on tests assessing these cognitive skills, indicating a level of maturity in cognitive function.

💡Risk-Taking

Risk-taking refers to the willingness to make decisions that involve exposure to danger or uncertainty. The script discusses how 18 to 21-year-olds behave similarly to older adults when performing tasks related to risk-taking and self-control, but may exhibit different patterns when emotional or social elements are involved.

💡Self-Control

Self-control is the ability to manage one's impulses and make decisions based on long-term goals rather than immediate gratification. The video script uses the concept of self-control to illustrate how the brain's development affects decision-making, particularly in the presence of emotional or social influences.

💡Emotional Element

An emotional element refers to the influence of emotions on decision-making or behavior. The script notes that when emotional factors are present, such as identifying fearful faces, the behavior and brain activity patterns of 18 to 21-year-olds resemble those of younger teens, indicating that emotional factors can impact maturity levels.

💡Social Element

A social element is the influence of social context or interactions on an individual's behavior or decision-making. The video script highlights that social factors, such as making a decision in the presence of a friend, can cause 18 to 21-year-olds to behave more like younger teens, suggesting that social influences can affect the expression of maturity.

💡Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system and brain function. The script uses neuroscience to explore the concept of adulthood, examining brain development and cognitive abilities to understand when an individual may be considered mature. It suggests that neuroscience provides insights into the complex nature of maturity and the varying timelines of brain and cognitive development.

Highlights

Most countries recognize 18 as the start of adulthood, granting various freedoms and privileges.

The debate on whether age is the best way to measure maturity is raised.

An example illustrates the arbitrariness of the voting age, with two individuals born minutes apart having different eligibility.

A proposal to lower the voting age to 16 is introduced.

Opposition argues that 16-year-olds may not be mature enough for decisions with national consequences.

A counterpoint highlights the lack of political knowledge even among eligible voters.

The comparison between maturity for voting and driving is made, with disagreement on the maturity of 16-year-olds.

Neuroscience is suggested as a potential clearer measure of adulthood than age.

Brain development is described with two trajectories: reduction in gray matter and increase in white matter.

Gray matter reduction is explained as a selective pruning process that strengthens used connections.

White matter increase allows for fast, far-range communication between brain regions.

Imaging studies show significant brain changes during adolescence and continuing into the twenties.

Cognitive development suggests adulthood may begin as early as 16 in terms of reasoning and problem-solving.

Teens are found to be more susceptible to external pressures and emotional elements when making decisions.

The argument that judicial systems should consider the ongoing development of the brain in late teens and early twenties.

There is no exact age or moment that defines adulthood; it is a wave of maturity with different timelines for different abilities.

Each person's journey to adulthood is unique, influenced by genetics, environment, and experience.

Transcripts

Most countries recognize 18 as the start of adulthood

by granting various freedoms and privileges.

But is age the best way to measure maturity?

I was born 12:05 AM on November 6th—

5 minutes short of being eligible to vote in the election tomorrow.

Meanwhile, your big brother— yours truly—

was born 15 minutes earlier, so I can vote.

It’s arbitrary and unfair!

The voting age should be lowered to 16!

I firmly disagree!

No way 16-year-olds are mature enough to make decisions with national consequences.

I’m eligible and I don’t even know who’s running.

Meanwhile, I know the candidates inside and out.

She's obsessed with politics.

Exactly! If 16-year-olds aren’t mature enough to vote,

then by that same logic, they shouldn’t be allowed to drive.

I firmly disagree! I’m an excellent driver!

And I’ve never gotten a ticket, unlike some people.

That’s so unfair! That stop sign was hidden by a tree.

I think you both make valid points.

And questioning the age limits of adulthood is well warranted.

Some countries have lowered the voting age to 16,

and cultural coming-of-age ceremonies are often celebrated at different ages.

As there seems to be no consensus on exactly when we reach maturity,

perhaps science can give us a clearer answer.

One way neuroscientists have looked to define adulthood

is by when the brain is fully grown.

Brain development involves two trajectories.

First, there's a reduction in gray matter.

Gray matter consists of cells and connections

that facilitate communication at short ranges,

creating dense, information-processing hubs.

While a reduction may seem like a bad thing,

what’s happening is a selective pruning.

Connections that are used are kept and strengthened,

while under-used ones are weeded away,

creating a brain that is both fine-tuned to its environment and energy efficient.

This gray matter reduction coincides with an increase in white matter.

White matter refers to connections that are myelinated,

coated in a layer of insulation,

allowing for fast far-range communication between information hubs.

For example, these paths connect regions that signal

the pleasure of immediate reward with regions that help us plan ahead,

allowing us to make more balanced, forward-thinking decisions.

Imaging studies show that white and gray matter volumes

undergo drastic changes during adolescence,

and continuing through your twenties.

But the brain’s journey is far from finished,

as various experiences continue to reshape its connections

throughout your lifetime.

So brain structure alone may not give us our answer.

Another way scientists have tried to define adulthood

is by measuring cognitive development—

when are you able to learn and complete mental tasks

at the same efficiency as older adults?

By this definition, adulthood may begin as early as 16,

as teens perform just as well on tests

that assess reasoning, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Though capable of making smart, well-informed decisions,

teens may be more susceptible to external pressures.

Studies show that when performing risk- taking and self-control related tasks,

18 to 21 year olds behave much like older adults.

But when these tests include an emotional element—

such as utilizing self-control when identifying fearful faces—

or a social element—

such as making a decision in the presence of a friend—

different patterns emerge.

Under these influences, 18 to 21 year olds tend to behave more like younger teens,

and their brains show younger-teen-like patterns of activity.

In other words, during your teens and early twenties,

your brain is wired to place more value and attention

on social and emotional elements.

This allows emerging adults to better explore their identities

and connect with others,

but may also create more vulnerability to negative peer influence

and rash heat of the moment decisions.

For this reason, many scientists argue that judicial systems

should expand juvenile courts to include

those in their late teens and early twenties,

as current systems fail to recognize

how the emerging adult brain is still changing.

So when are you actually an adult?

As you can see, there is no exact age or moment

in development that we can point to.

Instead, neuroscience suggests that there are waves of maturity.

As different brain regions and mental abilities mature at different times,

so do different adult-like states and behaviors.

Not everyone will reach each wave of maturity at the same age.

Each person’s journey to adulthood is unique,

influenced by genetics, environment, and experience.