First published 2015
Neurologist Frances Jensen examines the developing adolescent brain to explain teenage behavior that baffles parents and educators. Drawing from her research and clinical experience, Jensen reveals how the teenage brain differs fundamentally from adult brains in ways that affect decision making, learning, and emotional regulation. She demonstrates that adolescents face greater vulnerability to drug effects than previously understood, with marijuana causing persistent memory issues and long-term IQ impacts. The book shows how multitasking impairs learning capacity and how emotional stress during adolescence can trigger lasting mental health problems including depression. Jensen combines scientific findings with parenting insights to help adults understand why intelligent teens often make poor choices. The book offers concrete guidance for parents, teachers, and policymakers working with adolescents during this critical developmental window.
Genres: neuroscience, brain, adolescence, non-fiction, parenting, academic
Vibes: educational, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-research, scientific-findings
384 pages · Hardcover · Harper