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1. As we learned from watching Inside the Teenage Brain, the adolescent brain is far from fully developed. According to family systems theory, what role does the family play in shaping the healthy development of a teen during this critical stage? In what ways could the family hinder this development? What are some specific strategies the family as a whole can employ to foster positive growth during these changing times?

2. From the perspective of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the most intimate relationships are those in the microsystem. If one or more of the relationships at this level are unstable, what factors could potentially prevent negative developmental outcomes? Thinking back on your own adolescent years, how do you believe the relationships and settings in each of Bronfenbrenner’s systems influenced your development? Can you provide any specific examples?

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Created by a clinical psychologist, this website is designed for teens and their caregivers and provides resources on various issues teens are faced with, as well as opportunities to connect with other families and exchange advice.

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Make Adolescence Less of a Struggle with ParenTeenConnect.org

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When it comes to being a teen or raising one, couldn't we all use some support? ParenTeenConnect.org can help your family connect and communicate better.

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This TEDx Talk by Martyn Richards describes the functions of the brain specifically during adolescence and the role it plays in behavior, decision making, and relationships. He describes the biological changes and also gives an excellent historical example.

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Communication and the Teenage Brain. | Martyn Richards | TEDxNorwichED

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https://www.amazon.com/Grown-Flown-Support-Family-Independent/dp/1250188946/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=grown+and+flown&qid=1591839709&s=books&sr=1-1

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I read this book in a previous class and highly recommend it!

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This week’s reading from Gavazzi (2014) introduces family systems theory and ecological theory. In Chapter 4, we learn the background of family systems theory, which proposes the family is a unit, or system, of interdependent individuals who are understood only in the context of the family as a whole, not in isolation from the family unit. This is a practical approach when studying adolescent behavior and development because it concentrates on interactions between each individual family member, not just the teen.

We know any individual, especially during the adolescent stage, is influenced by their surrounding environment. Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory states that this environment affects every aspect of one’s life. These influences and relationships are organized into four systems: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem.

Our text also discusses criticism of both family systems theory and ecological theory, which include empirical limitations and inability to prove adequate detail.

The video clip, Inside the Teenage Brain, looks at research findings to help explain why teenagers act the way they do.

Highlighted research in the video shows how differently the adolescent brain is from the adult brain. In a study conducted on teenage brains to determine the way in which they respond to emotions, researchers found that teens use a different part of the brain when reacting to the emotions of others. The prefrontal cortex of the adult brain was more activated than the adolescent brain. However, the “emotional region” of the adolescent brain had a more active response compared to the adult brain.

Gavazzi, S. M. (2014). Families with adolescents: bridging the gaps between theory, research, and practice. London: Springer

[Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/inside-the-teenage-brain/

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This research sought to find the relationship between self-esteem and social adaptation in adolescents based on the perception of support from peers.

Xin, Li, and Liu (2019) used ecological systems theory to describe the results through the five ecological systems.

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News Article: Teens seem to be taking longer to grow up. One reason? A closer bond with their parents.

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News Article: Teens seem to be taking longer to grow up. One reason? A closer bond with their parents.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/09/04/teens-seem-be-taking-longer-grow-up-one-reason-closer-bond-with-their-parents/