Adolescent Science

Are you a parent or educator struggling to decipher the complex adolescent brain? Do you find yourself bewildered by their sudden mood swings and rebellious acts, and you wish you could understand how their minds operate so that you can see things from their perspective to foster more harmonious interactions? Relax and let this guide break down the adolescent psyche for you!

In accessible language and with periodic references to Star Trek, motorcycle daredevils, and near-classic movies of the '80s, developmental molecular biologist John Medina explores the neurological and evolutionary factors that drive teenage behavior and can affect both achievement and engagement. Then he proposes a research-supported counterattack: a bold redesign of educational practices and learning environments to deliberately develop teens' cognitive capacity to manage their emotions, plan, prioritize, and focus.

Experts and the general public are convinced that young people today are trapped in an extended adolescence - coddled, unaccountable, and more reluctant to take on adult responsibilities than previous generations. Nancy Hill and Alexis Redding argue that what is perceived as stalled development is in fact typical. Those reprimanding today's youth have forgotten that they once balked at the transition to adulthood themselves.