Impulsive Teen Sex Linked to Memory Patterns

Working memory is the system which allows humans to reason, learn and comprehend situations. When teenagers have problems with their “working memory” system, they might take rash and bad decisions like having unprotected sex.

A new study has found links between individual working memory patterns and young adults having unprotected sex, these patterns can be analyzed and used to predict the possibility of rash decisions and impulsive behavior.

Researchers concluded that there is a correlation between teenagers having unprotected sex  and decreased working memory. The correlation also applies to the regularity with which such impulse decisions will be taken.

Usually impulsiveness is considered a typical teenage behavior, but the new study claims that the level with which this happens and the gravity of the actions are affected directly by memory.

The study took behavioral patterns like, impulsiveness, risk taking and self control issues and analyzed them as symptoms.

Once this way of viewing the matter was applied, links between cognitive traits like concentration and self-control issues were observed.

The ability to concentrate and block out distractions, influences how human beings take decisions, and how much they realize the consequences that will result from their actions.

A young person who has better working memory, can have an improved capacity to assimilate information and remember it at the necessary time.

The amount of rash decisions taken is reduced when a person is more capable of drawing conclusions fast, and realizing consequences sooner.

Teenagers participating in the test were given examinations in order to test their cognitive abilities, and their focusing skills. One of the test studied their abilities to delay gratifications.

Patience in receiving gratification, can directly influence how decisions are made, and how many of them focus on the long term commitments and planning.

In the test, teenagers who scored higher points on their cognitive abilities were found to be les impulsive and less willing to take unnecessary risks.

This study was conducted in order to help parents and guardians with adopting better child development tools.

The study was conducted by lead researcher Dr. Dan Romer and his team in collaboration with University of Oregon, the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Image Source: examinedexistence.com