Adolescents in many animal species seek novelty and new experiences. Which term matches?

• A. Neophilia
• B. Prefrontal cortex
• C. Neural pruning
• D. Risk taking

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is a trait that describes a liking for new experiences. The term for that is neophilia, which literally means a love of novelty. In adolescence, many species show heightened curiosity and a drive to explore unfamiliar stimuli, environments, and opportunities, which fits neophilia perfectly.

Why this is the best fit: neophilia specifically names the attraction to new things, not just behavior or brain regions. The other options describe either brain areas or processes, or a broader category of behavior. The prefrontal cortex is a brain region involved in planning and self-control, not the tendency to seek novelty. Neural pruning is the developmental elimination of synapses, not a description of seeking new experiences. Risk taking refers to engaging in potentially hazardous actions, which can accompany novelty seeking but doesn’t itself name the attraction to novelty.