The Discovery of Adolescent Brain Plasticity
3 Implications of Elongated Adolescence
Recommendations for Parents
Recommendations for Educators and Employers
Recommendations for Policymakers
100
Traditionally, we have always thought of adolescence as a period fraught with _____________________.
Difficulty
100
If we can help children and adolescents develop better ________________________, we will significantly improve the health and well-being of the nation as a whole.
self-regulation
100
A recommendation for parents is that you lessen the chance that your child will ___________________________________________.
go through puberty early.
100
A recommendation for educators and employers is that they incorporate social and emotional learning into the _________________________________.
middle-school curriculum
100
Smoking can be deterred by raising the minimum purchase age to 25. (Yes / No)
Yes
200
Our emphasis during adolescence has been almost entirely on _____________________.
preventing problems
200
The fact that adolescence starts _______________________ has increased the advantage that the affluent enjoy over the underprivileged, because the former are more likely to have the neurobiological, psychological, familial, and institutional resources necessary for successful self-regulation.
earlier and lasts longer
200
A recommendation for parents is that you encourage activities that are likely to _______________________________________
contribute to self-regulation
200
DOUBLE JEOPARDY A recommendation for educators and employers is that they spend less _____________________________ on classroom-based health education
money and time
200
We should treat juveniles who commit crimes as juveniles not adults. (Yes / No)
Yes
300
Our emphasis during adolescence has been almost entirely on _____________________.
preventing problems.
300
DOUBLE JEOPARDY The increased brain plasticity that marks adolescence is especially good news because the brain systems that govern self-control are ________________________.
particularly malleable
300
A recommendation for parents is that you be aware of the _________________________________ that can undermine your child’s judgement
emotional and social circumstances
300
Should we only prepare adolescents for the academic demands of college? (Yes / No) Why?
No, We should also prepare adolescents for the psychological demands of college.
300
By the time people are _____________, their competence to make informed decisions when they are given opportunities to think them through is comparable to that of ________________.
sixteen and adults
400
DOUBLE JEOPARDY It’s obvious that our current approach to adolescence has______________________ .
not been working.
400
A longer adolescence has made _______________________ more important than ever before, because people must be able to delay the gratification that comes with the independence of adulthood that much longer
self-control or self-regulation
400
A century ago, the decline in the age of puberty was due mainly to improvements in health and nutrition. Today, however, it is due to more worrisome causes, including ________________ , ____________________, and _________________________. (three answers!)
obesity, the proliferation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and increased exposure to artificial light.
400
DOUBLE JEOPARDY Schools must now incorporate activities in their curricula that build __________________________. These activities include computer-based training to develop executive functions, meditation, aerobic exercise, structured physical activity that demands concentration, and programs explicitly designed to teach self-regulation.
noncognitive skills
400
By the time people are sixteen, their competence to make informed decisions when they are given opportunities to think them through is comparable to that of adults. (True or False)
True
500
Countless studies indicate that people with a superior ability to regulate their ________________________________ are less likely to engage in risky behavior
feelings, thoughts, and behaviors
500
The challenge we face as parents, educators, and adults concerned with the well-being of young people is figuring out how to take advantage of this opportunity, by providing adolescents with new experiences and responsibilities that stimulate _________________________, while limiting their exposure to situations and substances that threaten their health.
brain development
500
DOUBLE JEOPARDY Authoritative parenting requires that parents do three things as often and as consistently as possible: ____________, __________________, _______________. (three answers!)
be warm, be firm, and be supportive.
500
There is good evidence that _______________________________ programs contribute to the development of self-regulation, especially when implemented in elementary or middle school, so long as they follow the “SAFE” principles (Sequenced, Active, Focused, and Explicit).
social and emotional learning (SEL)
500
What are 3 contextual approaches that can be used to deter adolescents from engaging in risky behavior? (Substance abuse, unprotected sex, dangerous driving) (Three answers)
Answer: 1. Graduated driver licensing 2. Smoking can be deterred by raising the minimum purchase age OR Stronger enforcement of laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors (As well as laws that punish adults who make “proxy purchases” for adolescents) 3. Making condoms available through school-based clinics
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