In the context of development, discuss the adaptability of the human brain.

Answers will vary. The great adaptability of the brain appears to be a double-edged sword. Adaptability allows us to develop different patterns of neural connections to meet the demands of different environments, but lack of stimulation-especially during critical early periods of development-can impair adaptability. The brain is also affected by experience. Infants actually have more connections among neurons than adults do. Connections that are activated by experience survive; others do not.