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During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice

Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice

Published on: March 15, 2024

Pathways for engaging in prosocial behavior in adolescence.

Eveline A Crone¹, Sophie W Sweijen², Lysanne W Te Brinke²

¹Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Advances in Child Development and Behavior

|July 25, 2022

Summary

Adolescence is a critical period for developing prosocial behaviors, benefiting others. Understanding neural sensitivities and contextual factors during this time promotes positive social development and societal contribution.

Keywords:

Adolescence Neuroimaging Prosocial

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Social Psychology

Background:

Adolescent brain development continues into the early 20s, interacting with social experiences.
Adolescence is characterized by heightened social sensitivities and emerging socio-cognitive abilities.

Purpose of the Study:

To present adolescence as a unique developmental window for prosocial behavior.
To explore neural pathways and contextual factors influencing prosocial development.
To review intervention findings on fostering prosocial behaviors in adolescents.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on adolescent social development and neuroscience.
Synthesis of evidence on neural sensitivities related to valuing, perspective-taking, and goal-flexibility.
Analysis of contextual factors (recipients, audience effects, motivations) impacting prosocial behavior.

Main Results:

Multiple neural sensitivity pathways support key prosocial processes in adolescence.
Prosocial behavior development is influenced by recipients, audience effects, and strategic motivations.
Prosocial experiences are crucial for adolescents to become engaged societal members.

Conclusions:

Adolescent socio-affective and socio-cognitive development offers opportunities for prosocial growth.
Interventions leveraging prosocial experiences can foster positive adolescent development.
Reinterpreting adolescent social sensitivity as a window for prosocial opportunities is essential.