There is growing evidence that puberty affects the brain in ways that increase adolescents' ?

There is growing evidence that puberty affects the brain in ways that increase adolescents' ?

• A. Aggression levels
• B. Emotional arousal
• C. Desire to rebel
• D. Dependency levels

Answer: (B)

Puberty brings hormonal changes that boost activity in brain networks tied to emotion, especially the limbic system. The surge of hormones like estrogen and testosterone tunes the amygdala and related circuits, making emotional responses sharper. At the same time, the prefrontal areas that help regulate those emotions are still developing, so emotional experiences feel more intense and harder to modulate. This combination explains why adolescents tend to experience higher emotional arousal. While aggression, rebellion, or dependency can occur in some contexts, the most consistent brain-based effect of puberty is increased emotional arousal.

Puberty brings hormonal changes that boost activity in brain networks tied to emotion, especially the limbic system. The surge of hormones like estrogen and testosterone tunes the amygdala and related circuits, making emotional responses sharper. At the same time, the prefrontal areas that help regulate those emotions are still developing, so emotional experiences feel more intense and harder to modulate. This combination explains why adolescents tend to experience higher emotional arousal. While aggression, rebellion, or dependency can occur in some contexts, the most consistent brain-based effect of puberty is increased emotional arousal.