Thrill-seeking teens have a better memory than adults: The part of the brain that creates daredevils helps adolescents learn

Teenagers can often be portrayed as irresponsible individuals, seeking short-term satisfaction without regard for the consequences. But a new study shows adolescents' love for instant gratification can actually help improve their memory. The researchers found teenagers were better at a picture-based learning game than adults when positive reinforcement was involved, and they argue this sensitivity to reward could be part of an evolutionary adaptation to learn from their environment. Teenagers can often be portrayed as irresponsible individuals, seeking short-term satisfaction without regard for the consequences. But a new study shows adolescents' love for instant gratification, which also makes them thrill-seekers, can actually help improve their memory Teens' brains are wired differently from adults, the study found, explaining both their wild behaviour and their ability to memorise.