Thursday, January 7, 2010

Chapter 9: Cognitive and Socioemotional Development (Adolescence)

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  1. Janet BelskyMarch 5, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    1) summarizes Gilligan's critique of Kohlberg's theory; as well as research suggesting our basic sense of fairness kicks in at a young age (ie. critiques Kohlbergs' ideas in more depth)

    2) explores new studies suggesting that the push for social status is a top priority during puberty; and also summarizes Steinberg's recent laboratory research documenting early adolescent impulsivity

    4) Discusses the rise in depression (for females) during the teens in depth, and spells out the emotional correlates of "cutting" in detail.

    4) New focus on a topic "Possible Pubertal problem: popularity", explores the negative consequences of the push for social status--described above- in predicting both depression and externalizing behaviors in the early teens. Here I pull together studies suggesting that being in the popular crowd has clear academic and social costs, and being isolated from the in-crowd can cause preteens to get depressed.

    5) Challenges the conventional wisdom that providing firm rules helps kids from going down the wrong path. What really helps,most adolescent specialists agree, is doing exciting flow inducing things with teens.

    6. Also challenges the common stereotype that thriving teens are just "good" -meaning don't get into trouble- by highlighting research showing risk taking is part of the normal adolescent experience even in the most well adjusted teens.

    7. At the same time pays clear attention to BOTH sides of the "storm and stress" stereotype, by discussing recent Monitoring the Future Data showing teens are far more law abiding than we think, and highlighting Robert Epstein's provocative take on teenage acting out: Teenagers don't have a problem, society does. Rather than having a "brain deficit", the so called symptoms intrinsic to teenagerhood are caused to a poor society- teen fit. We treat adolescents as babies, when they really are capable adults..

    8. Offers a wealth of new data relating to parent/ teen relationships and pays particular attention to the special family pressures immigrant second generation teens face.

    And MOST IMPORTANT

    ---- features an incredible interview with an emerging adult who spent his adolescent years in adult jail, charged with 2and degree murder for a crime he did not commit!

    (Last semester,in discussing the issue of trying teens as adults, a student in class spoke up about his incredible experience--giving me the chance to share this outrageous account of what is happening in the U.S justice system today. Ironically, at the same time as the Supreme Court outlawed the death penalty for teens, you'll learn that under the radar prosecutors now have full leeway to transfer teens accused of violent crimes to the adult prison system... And you'll also get a riveting account of what it was like
    spend time on the infamous 9th floor of Jefferson County Jail where murderers are sent to await trial, and how this remarkable young person, by a fluke, was able to escape the unjust, justice system gulag (thats the right word), to turn his life around.

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