The Teenage Brain - Brossura

Jensen, Frances E.; Nutt, Amy Ellis

Brossura

ISBN 10: 1443406236 ISBN 13: 9781443406239

Casa editrice: Collins, 2016

Riassunto

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.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

“Why’s your child so self-absorbed? Give him time, writes neurologist Jensen: Empathy comes with age.” (Good Housekeeping)

“This well-written, accessible work surveys recent research into the adolescent brain, a subject relatively unexplored until just this past decade. . . . Speaking as one parent to another, she offers support and a way for parents to understand and relate to their own soon-to-be-adult offspring.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A captivating chapter, ‘The Digital Invasion of the Teenage Brain,’ calls attention to computer craving and adolescent addiction to the Internet. . . . [A] sensible, scientific, and stimulating book.” (Booklist)

“A valuable resource for parents, youth workers, educators, and anyone involved with teens in any way. The book is engaging, understandable, and extremely informative.” (New York Journal of Books)

L'autore:

Frances E. Jensen, MD, is a professor of neurology and the chair of the neurology department at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. She was formerly a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, the director of translational neuroscience and the director of epilepsy research at Boston Children's Hospital, and a senior neurologist at Boston Children's Hospital and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is also an advocate for awareness of brain research and has delivered many public lectures and media contributions, including a TEDMED talk; many of these are related to adolescent brain development, its unique strengths and vulnerabilities, and their effects on medical, social, and educational issues unique to teenagers and young adults.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Collins
• Data di pubblicazione: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1443406236
• ISBN 13: 9781443406239
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 384