Left Side:
Language
Math
Logic
Right Side:
Spatial abilities
Face
recognition
Visual imagery
Music
Limbic System
Amygdala
Signals motivationally significant stimuliFear
Anger
Reward
Hippocampus
Encodes new memories
Hypothalamus
Master control center of the hormone system
Boys
5-7 surges of testosterone everyday
1000% the amount before puberty
Regularly overstimulates the amygdala
Girls
Estrogen and progesterone now present
Balance fluctuates with menstrual cycle
Can lead to dramatic, sudden mood swings
Brain chemicals
that travel from
one neuron’s
dendrites to
another
Neuron
Dendrite
Reason teens respond
strongly to social rewards
Reason for their melodramatic
reaction to success as well as defeat
The area of the brain that
seeks pleasure and reward is
fairly well-developed early on
Teens value reward more
heavily than adults
If offered an extra reward, teens
have shown they can push the
executive regions (prefrontal
cortex functions) to work harder.
The brain
undergoes a
massive
reorganization
between the
12th and 25th
years.
The physical changes move
in a slow wave from the back
of the brain to the front.
The CEO of the brain
Section of brain that performs complex
cognitive functions:
Decision makingweighs outcome, forms judgment
Behaviorcontrols impulses and emotion, social
interactions, personality
Executive Functions
Determines good & bad
Better vs best
Same & different
Defining goals
Predicting outcomes
Expectations based on actions
Future consequences of current activities
Differentiating among conflicting thoughts
Social control:
the ability to suppress urges that, if not
suppressed, could lead to socially
unacceptable outcomes
The prefrontal cortex can’t always
distinguish between a good
decision and a bad one, no
matter how intelligent the child is
It is the parent’s job to
convert the mistakes into
learning opportunies
PERMISSIVE
AUTHORITARIAN
STRUCTURED
Few rules
Unstructured
environment
Endless negotiation
Erratic leadership
Emphasis on
individuality
All opinions count
Rigid rules
Strict enforcement
Firm rules
Firm environment
No negotiation
Autocratic leadership
Emphasis on
conformity
Only the parent’s
opinion counts
Limited negotiation
Stable leadership
Balance
Opinions are
respected
It is crucial to let the teen know
exactly what the consequences
will be if they do not comply
Make sure you follow through on
the consequences
DON’T…
g
be surprised when our adolescent gets surly
harass an adolescent about every little thing- pick
and choose issues that matter
g
g
get dragged into power struggles
g
make consequences into threats
g
let your emotions get out of control
let your adolescent get their way by using
objectionable behavior
g
DO:
g
Set clear rules and expectations for behavior
Have the conversation about expectations and
consequences when things are calm
g
g
Spell out the consequences for noncompliance
Have your child state out loud their understanding of
both the rules and consequences
g
Choose consequences that fit and make sure you
can live with them
g
g
Follow through on consequences