Nine-year-old Brady was invited to be part of the basketball team but his friend Aidan was not. Brady thinks that Aidan is a good basketball player. Brady is evaluating the situation and trying to decide if it was fair. What helps Brady with this decision is _____. (A) massive interconnectivity of the brain(B) increased neurotransmitter activity(C) decreased myelination of the limbic system(D) selective attention

The most relevant factor that would help Brady with this decision is (A) massive interconnectivity of the brain. This interconnectivity involves the communication between different parts of the brain that help with higher-order thinking, including evaluation and decision-making processes. When Brady is trying to decide if the situation is fair, he would be using his prefrontal cortex, which is involved in complex cognitive behavior, personality expression, decision making, and moderating social behavior. The connections between this area and other parts of the brain that handle emotion and memory, for example, would play a crucial role in his evaluation of fairness.

Extra: The brain is a highly complex organ made up of many different areas that are responsible for various functions. These areas are interconnected by neurons that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals. Greater interconnectivity allows for the integration of information from these diverse regions, which results in more complex thought processes and better problem-solving abilities. This interconnectedness grows and develops as children mature, which enhances their cognitive abilities, including their concept of fairness and judgement.

The other options provided all relate to different aspects of brain function:

(B) Increased neurotransmitter activity: Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other. While increased activity could influence mood and overall mental function, it is not as specific to the task of evaluating fairness as the interconnectivity of the brain.

(C) Decreased myelination of the limbic system: Myelination is the process by which a fatty layer, called myelin, accumulates around nerve cells to insulate them and increase the speed of neural transmission. The limbic system plays a significant role in emotion and memory formation. Decreased myelination could impair these functions, but it would not be beneficial in helping Brady make a decision about fairness.

(D) Selective attention: Selective attention is the process of focusing on a particular object in the environment for a certain period while ignoring irrelevant information. It is a crucial aspect of cognitive functioning, but in the context of Brady evaluating whether something is fair or not, selective attention is not as directly involved as the broader concept of interconnectivity across different brain regions.