It is postulated that there is an asynchronous development of reward and control systems that enhance adolescents’ responsivity to incentives and risky behaviors (Casey et al. 2008; Ernst et al. 2006; Somerville et al. 2010; Steinberg et al. 2008). Bottom-up limbic systems involved in emotional and incentive processing purportedly develop earlier than top-down prefrontal systems involved in behavioral control. In situations with high emotional salience, the more mature limbic regions will override prefrontal regions, resulting in poor decisions. The developmental imbalance is unique to adolescents, as children have equally immature limbic and prefrontal regions, while adults benefit from fully developed systems. Within this model, risky behaviors of adolescents is understood in light of limbic system driven choices to seek immediate gratification rather than long-term gains. Moreover, this relationship may be more pronounced in adolescents with increased emotional reactivity.
