Reading Quest #2

"If a tumor in the prefrontal cortex can totally change someones behavior and change their life completely, then maybe those whom are in prison for being rapists, or those teenagers who just party and sleep around do these things because of the development of their prefrontal cortex?"

The prefrontal cortex is in charge of making decisions, planning complex cognitive behavior, personalities, expressions, etc. It truly is what separates us from every other animal in the world. We can make decisions and feel more and have very distinct personalities. But these decisions that are made and the different type of personalities each person has varies dramatically from person to person. I asked the question that if it is possible that the reason people whom do awful crimes and take drugs and party and do these types of things is simply because of the way their prefrontal cortex is developed? Maybe it is not 100% their fault and maybe we shouldnt be punishing them for not being able to distinguish what decision to make and how they feel. Not that I am saying that they shouldnt be punished for committing these crimes but perhaps they should be getting different kind of help rather than just being locked away for a few years in prison. Perhaps there is a different kind of method that we can use to help these people develop their prefrontal cortex so that they can make what society would claim "the RIGHT decision" To answer my question I did research and I found this website, "Maturation of the PreFrontal Cortex" It showed me the different responsibilities the prefrontal cortex has and how lack of maturation can differ the decisions that people make. I believe that if people can realize that they are this way because it is simply how their brain is "wired" and that through counceling and therapy we can help these people distinguish what to do in certain situations and how to control their intense emotions with correct decision making that it would make a much bigger impact in their lives rather than just locking people away in prison or suspended their licenses or kicking them out of school, etc. We are just pushing the issue far away by doing this to people, we should try and get them the help they need and help them understand why they are making this decisions and it can also help us understand they people make these decisions. Overall I think it is amazing how a single tumor pressed up against the prefrontal cortex can completely alter someones life, like the example in the book about the girl whom was going to an Ivy league school all of a sudden began partying and sleeping around when her normal behavior would have never been like this, just a little change to the prefrontal cortex alters who we are and I believe that is why people are so dramatically different and why they make decisions they make, its not their fault that their brains are developed this way and we need to remember this and try to help them rather than just putting them away with the "crazy" people.