What cognitive ability improves significantly during the ages of 15-18?

During the ages of 15-18, individuals experience significant cognitive development, particularly in enhancing deductive reasoning skills. This period marks a transition into more advanced stages of cognitive processing, where adolescents begin to think more critically and logically about complex problems. They become more capable of utilizing abstract thinking, which allows them to infer conclusions from general principles or premises, rather than relying solely on concrete experiences.

Enhanced deductive reasoning is associated with the maturation of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-order thinking processes. As adolescents develop these skills, they are better equipped to analyze situations, weigh evidence, and make informed decisions. This cognitive growth is essential not just for academic success but also for navigating social situations and developing their identities.

The other choices focus on either a decline in cognitive skills or misrepresent the developmental changes typical for this age range, making them inconsistent with established cognitive psychology. The improvement in deductive reasoning is crucial for understanding and engaging with the world in a more sophisticated manner.