The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults
Product ID: 303668026
A New York Times Bestseller Renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen offers a revolutionary look at the brains of teenagers, dispelling myths and offering practical advice for teens, parents and teachers. Dr. Frances E. Jensen is chair of the department of neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. As a mother, teacher, researcher, clinician, and frequent lecturer to parents and teens, she is in a unique position to explain to readers the workings of the teen brain. In The Teenage Brain , Dr. Jensen brings to readers the astonishing findings that previously remained buried in academic journals. The root myth scientists believed for years was that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one, only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, the scientific community has learned that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development. Samples of some of the most recent findings include: Teens are better learners than adults because their brain cells more readily "build" memories. But this heightened adaptability can be hijacked by addiction, and the adolescent brain can become addicted more strongly and for a longer duration than the adult brain. Studies show that girls' brains are a full two years more mature than boys' brains in the mid-teens, possibly explaining differences seen in the classroom and in social behavior. Adolescents may not be as resilient to the effects of drugs as we thought. Recent experimental and human studies show that the occasional use of marijuana, for instance, can cause lingering memory problems even days after smoking, and that long-term use of pot impacts later adulthood IQ. Multi-tasking causes divided attention and has been shown to reduce learning ability in the teenage brain. Multi-tasking also has some addictive qualities, which may result in habitual short attention in teenagers. Emotionally stressful situations may impact the adolescent more than it would affect the adult: stress can have permanent effects on mental health and can to lead to higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. Dr. Jensen gathers what we've discovered about adolescent brain function, wiring, and capacity and explains the science in the contexts of everyday learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision-making. In this groundbreaking yet accessible book, these findings also yield practical suggestions that will help adults and teenagers negotiate the mysterious world of adolescent development.
| Dimensions | 15.24 x 3.07 x 22.86 cm |
| Edition | Illustrated |
| Isbn 10 | 0062067842 |
| Isbn 13 | 978-0062067845 |
| Item Weight | 581 g |
| Language | English |
| Print Length | 384 pages |
| Publication Date | 6 Jan. 2015 |
| Publisher | Harper |
User
A very interesting and useful read for parents/carers
A fascinating and accessible journey through the neuroscience of the teenage and young adult mind. The book is aimed at helping one understand the challenges and difficulties that young people may encounter as their brain develops and matures. Although it does not offer strategies or advice on how to deal with the inevitable challenges of raising teenagers, it's a really enjoyable read and one that I suspect one would come back to again and again as a reference source.Although the author says in the introduction that she wrote the book for both parents/carers and teenagers it's undoubtedly written for the former. A version of this great book written specifically for teens and young adults would, I think,be great, and help them both understand and better deal with the challenges of growing up.
User
A must read, preferably BEFORE your child hits teens!
Having entered the stage where my child has turned from adorable, kind, loving little person to a grunting Kevin with mass attitude and spiky chips on the shoulder, I really needed to understand what was going on. This book has helped a lot. It’s not solved my or my teens problems but it’s given me better understanding and patience at least. Thank you to the author. Thank you very much.
User
... and I have learned quite a few interesting and useful things. I must note
I thought it was a well supported by data and written book and I have learned quite a few interesting and useful things. I must note, however, how irritating it is when people decide that if they are an expert on one subject, then, by definition, they are an expert all round. I think Dr. Jensen would be well advised to stay away from the usual American attitude of holier than thou and better than everybody else and stick to the subject of her competency. I am referring to the passage on page 235 where she spews out "information" and opinions on British education system, which are about 40 years out of date and would have been wrong even then. I belive she refers to 11+, which has not been mandatory for over 40 years and even when it was, nobody prevented children from comprehensives going to universities. So, her statement about cast system is complete and utter rubbish.
User
Essential reading for teenage understanding
I'm really enjoying this, spurred on by the fact that these vital facts are very relevant to the work I do as a teacher of late teens. It's also quite obvious that this type of information should be widely known by all that work with teenagers or those that decide to make them. It has helped me understand my behaviour and decisions when I was that age and it informs me of how I should understand those children I work with. It should really be a key determinant of many education policies, particularly school times and examination schedules, to name a few. But, sluggish adoption of science is the norm.
User
Thought it was a great insight into the teen brain
Thought it was a great insight into the teen brain. I think those with a non scientific interest/background may find it harder going in parts, but generally very readable. I now understand my teen better. She has also read it so understands WHY she feels and behaves as she does.
User
not as easy to follow as perhaps some others
Took a while to plough through this, not as easy to follow as perhaps some others.
User
Highly recommended
Amazing book which highly recommend especially to anyone not understanding adolescences and young adults.It will open your mind!
User
easy to understand
An interesting, readable, easy to understand, book.
User
Best for parents and teenage
Must buy there are al lot of books on learning yourself but this is genuine written by a doctor
User
EVERYBODY who knows anyone under the age of 25 should read this - the new science, clearly explained, is mind-blowing
Wonder why young people so often make so foolish choices? The teenage brain is NOT an adult brain. It does not reach maturity until you're about 24 years old. It's only very recent scientific breakthroughs applied to understanding the teenage brain that we now know this definitively. The implications for our society are vast. This is an amazing book. The author is a Harvard-trained MD, and now head of neurology at Penn, one of the most prestigious universities in the US. She is clear, sites real, well-documented studies, and supplements the science with her own experience raising her sons. She then puts what we're learning about their still-developing brains into the context of teenage and young adult life. This book blew my mind. It is an accessible, compelling read. I give it the highest recommendation.
User
Awesome Book! A must read for any parent....
I was quite impressed with this book, and found it amazingly articulate from both a science and parent perspective. This book was mentioned by my neurologist at CHOP in a way to describe a "frontal concussion" that my 9 year old son had sustained. With being in the medical field and specializing in adult surgical/trauma/neurosurgery nursing for 10 years, and also raising a 14 year old daughter, I was quickly interested in the subject matter.I expected to dig into a science book filled with all the aspects of the brain which is a subject I love to read. I was pleasantly surprised in the way the subject matter was broken down into information that anyone could read. The statistics and personal experiences made this book a must have for anyone raising a child.In the one week that I have had this book, I was able to understand my son's injury and his lack of impulse control. I have discussed this book in parts with my daughter, and utilized some of the suggestions. In just a short time, my daughter and I have had full discussions about her brain development, and remarked how I "understand her" now. My daughter has expressed how she realizes she has impulses and does not like the lack of control. Understanding that it is her brain developing has gave her a sense of relief, and she has begun to read this herself in hopes to understand how she is growing.The subject matter on the brain is endless, and neurology is such an amazing field. I enjoyed the facts and statistics, and liked how it stayed on topic. In each of these chapters there was potential to take it in so many different directions with regards to the brain. I was quite impressed that such a complex subject matter was creatively articulated for both parents and medical professions.I really enjoyed this book, and recommend it for anyone who is raising a teenager.
User
Excellent book on this topic!
Now I understand much better why my teenage daughter acts like she acts and can better deal with the different situations.
User
They are not crazy and here is why
Good book! Gives you a scientific explanation of why your kid is actually not crazy. It explains the adolescent brain development and gives you a timeline of when you should see the light (spoiler alert: when he is 26(!!!) years old!) I couldn't figure out how my straight A son who is a university student now could do so many outrages things or couldn't figure out some very common sense things. The book explained it clearly.
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