What are some intellectual changes during puberty?

Answer 1

Studies have shown that the brain makes significant changes as a child grows through puberty into adulthood. As a child becomes a teen, he or she is more able to think abstractly, and more importantly, more able to empathize with others. The bulk of cognitive work in the brain shifts to the pre-frontall cortex throughout the teen-age years, but does not complete this process until a person enter's their twenties. Teens are still prone to risk-taking behaviors, but as they mature, they become more and more aware of consequences arising from their actions. The ability to think in the abstract, allows them to better theorize and form opinions about their surroundings.

As a side note, it is been observed that these changes are arrested or delayed in teens who abuse alcohol and most drugs.