Stanford study: Teenagers tune out their mother’s voice around the age of 13
Thekabarnews.com—Many parents think that their teens do not listen when they tell them to do their homework or chores. But scientists say that the issue may not solely be that individuals fail to...
Thekabarnews.com—Many parents think that their teens do not listen when they tell them to do their homework or chores. But scientists say that the issue may not solely be that individuals fail to adhere to regulations. Researchers have found that teens’ brains work differently when they hear their parents’ voices now than when they were younger.
Researchers at Stanford School of Medicine found that when kids are about 13 years old, their brains start to respond less strongly to their mothers’ voices. However, their brains respond more strongly to voices they do not know. The results show that there is a biological reason why teens seem to care more about their friends and new groups of people.
The Journal of Neuroscience published the study. It used functional MRI (fMRI) scans to look at how teens’ brains reacted to different voices. Researchers found that younger kids’ brains reacted strongly to their mothers’ voices, especially in areas of the brain that deal with emotions and rewards. Teenagers, on the other hand, were more active when they heard voices they did not know.
Daniel Abrams, Ph.D., the lead researcher, said that this change is normal for kids as they get older and not a sign of rebellion. Abrams says that as teens get older, they naturally become more aware of new social connections.
Researchers say this brain change helps teens learn to socialize and be independent. Teenagers’ brains change so that they can meet new people and explore more easily. This adaptation is important for social and emotional growth.
Experts say this change does not mean teens have stopped caring about their parents. But their brains start to pay more attention to bigger social networks. This change might explain why teens seem to care more about their friends than their family.
Parents may be better able to handle communication problems with their teens if they know how this process works. Experts say that instead of thinking that a child’s lack of responsiveness is disrespectful, it is better to keep talking. Parents must also be patient as the child grows up.
Researchers say that the teenage years are crucial for brain growth and awareness. The results show how changes in biology affect how teens act. This helps parents understand why teens talk to each other differently at this time.
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