Social and Emotional Development in Adolescence

In your small groups… Discuss what teenagers are like: Behaviour Attitudes Relationships Motivations Priorities Remember to consider both male and female teenagers, from all social groups. Some of what you discuss may be stereotypical – this is to be expected. Look at the magazines that are aimed at a teen audience – what do you think these say about being a teenager today?

What do these “funnies” reveal about teenage stereotypes or teen development?

Stereotype and Media manipulation we learn many stereotypes in our world we need to be critical of the media we expose ourselves to. watch and listen to a variety of different sources be clear on your own beliefs and compare them to the messages you see or hear. Discuss: In what ways do the media distort reality in presenting violence? Teenagers? Families? Relationships? Consider media in Canada (e.g. English vs French, major broadcasters vs alternative media, internet vs print)

Adolescent Development In your notes, summarize the 3 stages of adolescence using the handout “Changes in Adolescence”

The teenage brain http://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/episode/surviving-the-teenage-brain.html Explain why teenagers act the way they do. Use hormones, brain development (prefrontal cortex) and how the human brain has evolved in your summary. What behaviours help build connections in the brain? How does taking risks build brain connections? What is the difference between good and bad risk-taking behaviour? Use examples of each. In what ways is the body/brain at its best in the teen years? Why is it also the riskiest time? Connect the dopamine system to teenage behaviour. Describe the effects on the brain of substance abuse in the teenage years. Why is romantic love so powerful for teenagers, according to the experts? How is our society making it necessary for teenagers’ brain to evolve in new ways? Why is parental involvement so important for teenagers?