The Adolescent Brain; Reaching for Autonomy

by Robert Sylwester

• ISBN13: 9781412926119
• ISBN10: 1412926114
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-18
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

'Excellent advice on dealing with young people. I wish I'd had this book when my own children were adolescents!'Patricia Wolfe, International Educational Consultant, Mind Matters, Inc.'Written in a reader-friendly manner, the book thoughtfully examines the transition period from childhood to adulthood and combines scholarship from psychology, education, and neuroscience. Loved the graphics!'Sheryl Feinstein, Associate Professor, Augustana College'Readers will leave this book with a sense of calmness about living or working with adolescents.'Bob Patterson, Training Manager, Discovery EducationHow the teenage brain thinks, feels, learns, and changes on its journey to adulthood.In this enlightening volume, expert educator and scientist Robert Sylwester explains how adults can better understand teenagers through an engaging discussion of the adolescent brain. Readers will learn how to:Mentor adolescents rather than attempt to control themNurture creativity, imagination, and individuality Understand such critical issues as sexuality and bonding, morality and ethics, risk and security, collaboration and autonomy, and moreEasy-to-understand theories, familiar examples, and nontechnical language make complex research accessible and appropriate for rewarding classroom or family discussion.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
About the Author	p. xiii
Adolescence in Contemporary Society: Being Somewhat Confused	p. 1
Confusion Within Adolescents	p. 5
Confusion About Adolescents	p. 8
An Introduction to the Issues Explored in Subsequent Chapters	p. 10
Brain Organization and Development: Being Human	p. 15
Mirror Neurons	p. 16
The Organization of the Human Brain	p. 19
The Development of the Human Brain	p. 32
Maintaining a Developing Brain	p. 36
Sexuality and Bonding: Maintaining Our Species	p. 41
Biological Differences	p. 44
Interpreting Gender Differences	p. 45
Cultural Confusion	p. 47
Human Bonding Behavior	p. 48
Emerging Cultural Conflicts	p. 51
The Hazards of Sexual Pleasure	p. 52
Productivity and Vocation: Maintaining Our Planet	p. 57
A 21st-century Curriculum for 21st-century Students	p. 60
A 21st-century Vocation	p. 63
Home, School, and Vocation	p. 66
Morality and Ethics: Maintaining Our Culture	p. 69
Factual Knowledge and Decisions	p. 70
Adaptive Preferences and Choices	p. 72
The Development of Our Moral/Ethical Base	p. 74
Risks and Security: Going Beyond the Known	p. 81
Our Brain's Regulatory Systems	p. 82
From Emotional Arousal to Conscious Decision	p. 86
The Biology of Risk and Security	p. 88
Adults and Adolescent Risks	p. 92
Technology and Drugs: Going Beyond Nature	p. 95
Biological Stress	p. 96
Technological Enhancement	p. 98
Drug Support	p. 105
Psychoactive Drugs: A Primer	p. 107
The Arts and Humanities: Going Beyond Reality	p. 111
Adornment	p. 112
Language, Music, and Dance	p. 114
The Humanities	p. 119
Collaboration and Autonomy: Going Beyond Adolescence	p. 121
Collaboration	p. 123
The Reach for Autonomy	p. 126
Neurotransmitters and Neural Transmission	p. 131
The Cerebral Cortex	p. 137
Glossary	p. 141
References and Resources	p. 147
Index	p. 153
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