Psychology Homework - Article Example

Article Review The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems portray a given pattern of neural activation especially when there is need for internal control of their behavior even when the intended information is distracted (Banich et al. 175-176). The research is very essential since it has provided a feedback and suggestions on how to deal with adolescents with such disorders. It also provides the need to have an extensive research since the number of patient was small.

The article draws the hypothesis that “the neural mechanisms of attentional control in youth with SCP differ from youth without such problems” (Banich et al. 175). The study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging and the color-word stroop task to prove this hypothesis by examining whether youth with SCP manifest deficits in attentional control (Banich et al. 177).Since the severe SCP is less common in females, all the participants were male aged between 14 and 18 years (Banich et al. 176).

All the participants were English speakers (Banich et al. 176).The research provided evidence that the neural systems engaged by the adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems when they are involved in a demanding task differ even when there is no difference in the performance behavior (Banich et al. 177-179). The research revealed that both groups activated DFLPC, which are usually involved in the stroop task. This shows that both groups can activate the relevant neural machinery.

From the research, it is evident that brain systems involved in the attentional control function well in youths with SCP (Banich et al. 178-180). However, it is not clear whether the neural irregularities are because of predisposing factors hence, there is need to conduct a future research to ascertain this (Banich et al. 181).The article is quite interesting because there seems to be contradicting findings. Basing on the previous research that has been it is quite weird why there different findings for different research that are almost similar.

Works CitedBanich, Marie T, Thomas J. Crowley, Laetitia L Thompson, Benjamin L. Jacobson, Xun Liu, Kristen M. Raymond, and Eric D Claus. “Brain activation during the Stroop task in adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems: A pilot study.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 90 (2007): 175–182. Print.