A groundbreaking study published in PLOS Biology reveals that reduced “decision noise” drives improvements in adolescent decision-making as they mature into adults.
Key Findings
- Decision noise decreases with age: Adolescents’ tendency to make suboptimal choices declines as they mature.
- Cognitive resource limitations: Limited brain development makes teens rely on simpler decision strategies, increasing susceptibility to external influences.
- Improved decision-making: Reduced decision noise correlates with enhanced planning skills, flexibility, and performance.
Study Design
Researchers analyzed data from 93 participants (12-42 years old) completing three reinforcement learning tasks:
- Motivational influences on choices
- Adaptive decision-making
- Goal-directed behavior
Expert Insights
“Teenagers make less optimal, ‘noisy’ decisions. As they grow older, these noisy decisions decrease, linked to improved complex decision-making skills.” – Study authors
Implications
- Neurodevelopmental disorders: Understanding decision noise may shed light on conditions like ADHD and autism.
- Cognitive training: Targeting decision-making skills could improve adolescent performance.
- Brain development: Further research on cognitive control and decision-making neural mechanisms.
Reference: Scholz et al. (2024). Decrease in decision noise from adolescence into adulthood. PLOS Biology.
