Let’s take a closer look at these findings in relation to emotion regulation skills. In general, effective emotional balance requires both top-down and bottom up processing. Top-down skills are those that involve cognitive control, attention deployment, executive functions, decision-making, etc.) and are largely the function of prefrontal and related areas. Bottom up processing requires skills to manage emotional impulses and physical sensations, like hunger, fatigue, boredom and so forth). You may recall the discussion from segment 1 about the brain’s networks, and this reinforces that information. A brain in balance requires well-coordinated communication among various networks. The adolescent period presents a special challenge. When the brain’s control capacity is compromised or still underdeveloped and the impulses and emotionality are stronger, the ability to manage emotions is out of whack.

Whereas the image on the left hand side suggests balance between top-down and bottom-up functions, the one on the right might be somewhat more typical of adolescents: reduced cognitive control in the face of strong emotions.