Great Myths of Adolescence

A research–based guide to debunking commonly misunderstood myths about adolescence 

Great Myths of Adolescence contains the evidence–based science that debunks the myths and commonly held misconceptions concerning adolescence. The book explores myths related to sex, drugs and self–control, as well as many others. The authors define each myth, identify each myth s prevalence and present the latest and most significant research debunking the myth. The text is grounded in the authors own research on the prevalence of belief in each myth, from the perspective of college students. Additionally, various pop culture icons that have helped propagate the myths are discussed. 

Written by noted experts, the book explores a wealth of topics including: The teen brain is fully developed by 18; Greek life has a negative effect on college students academically; significant mood disruptions in adolescence are inevitable; the millennial generation is lazy; and much more. This important resource:

Shatters commonly held and topical myths relating to gender, education, technology, sex, crime and more Based in empirical and up–to–date research including the authors′ own Links each myth to icons of pop culture who/which have helped propagate them Discusses why myths are harmful and best practices related to the various topics A volume in the popular Great Myths of Psychology series

Written for undergraduate students studying psychology modules in Adolescence and developmental psychology, students studying childhood studies and education studies, Great Myths of Adolescence offers an important guide that debunks misconceptions about adolescence behavior. This book also pairs well with another book by two of the authors, Great Myths of Child Development.

Foreword by Jeffrey Arnett

Preface

Introduction

I. Development of the Body, Brain, and Mind

1. Adolescence ends at 18 years old

2. Girls are universally experiencing puberty sooner in recent years

3. The teen brain is fully developed by age 18

4. Anorexia treatment usually requires that teens be separated from their parents

5. Technology has made teens better at multitasking Mini Myths for Development of the Body, Brain, and Mind

6. Pubertal early bloomers fare better than late bloomers

7. Teens can study better while listening to music

8. The Freshman 15 College students gain 15 pounds their freshman year

9. Horses are helpful in the treatment of eating disorders, autism spectrum, and more

10. The onset of puberty is very upsetting to most teens

11. Male teens are much less likely to be preoccupied with their physical appearance than females

12. Most teens hardly ever engage in leisure reading these days

13. Greek life has a negative effect on college students academically

14. Paying for prep courses is the best way to make large gains on the SAT

II. Development of the Self

15. Significant mood disruptions in adolescence are inevitable

16. Teens should have a job in high school to build character

17. Risky behavior in adolescence is inevitable

18. Taking care of an infant simulator doll increases abstinence from sexual activity

19. College placement tests are useless at predicting academic success in college Mini Myths for Development of the Self

20. College students sex lives are full of random hook–ups

21. Teaching teens about condom use makes teens more likely to have sex

22. Abstinence–only sex education programs are effective at keeping teens abstinent

23. The HPV vaccine increases teen sex

24. The millennial generation is lazy

25. High school football players are more likely to become seriously injured than cheerleaders

26. Offenders hide sexual interest when using the internet to initiate sex offenses against teens

27. Conversion therapy effectively turns homosexual teens into straight teens

28. Teens underestimate the consequences of risky behavior and adults do not

III. The Social Environment

29. More quality time with teens can make up for less quantity of time

30. Successful transition into adulthood requires that teens detach from parents

31. Popular teens are usually mean

32. Peer pressure only causes teens to make bad decisions

33. Boys only use sticks and stones to hurt while girls use words instead Mini Myths for The Social Environment

34. Most teens have a strained relationship with their parents

35. Asking teens if they have thought about suicide increases their risk of actually attempting suicide

36. Teens only listen to their peers

37. When girls are sexually assaulted it is usually by a stranger

38. Most college students graduate in 4 years

39. College is the happiest time of one s life

IV. Problems in Modern Society

40. Teens these days are worse behaved compared to previous generations

41. School violence is on the rise

42. Boot camps get teens on the right path

43. Most teens party with drugs or alcohol on weekends

44. DARE programs prevent teen drug use

45. Listening to heavy metal or rap music makes teens more likely to defy authority Mini Myths for Problems in Modern Society

46. Teens have the highest suicide rate

47. Goggles mimicking drunkenness help prevent impaired drinking

48. Teens can be scared straight

49. Sexting is only a teen problem

50. Traditional High School Driver education courses have a strong record of making teens safe drivers

Jeremy Jewell, PhD, is a Professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Director of the Clinical Child and School Psychology graduate program. He was awarded the SIUE Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Mentor Award in 2012 and the Hoppe Research Professor Award in 2016.

Michael Axelrod, PhD, is Director of the Human Development Center and a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

Mitch Prinstein, PhD, ABPP, is Director of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Caroline Chapel Hill.

Stephen Hupp is a Professor of Clinical Child and School Psychology at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and consultant for the East St. Louis Head Start program.