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Yes, absolutely. Whereas other sciences can cause us to question important issues about the nature of energy, the origin of the universe and the origin of species, many of the insights emerging from psychology and neuroscience can compel us to question our very selves. Every bit about how our subjective experiences and how we interface with the world is up for grabs in neuroscientific research. In that sense, psychology and neuroscience are very much sciences about us. No other science is as personal, and as personally destabilizing." As mentioned in the section on emotions, for teenagers the sense of self (knowing who you are) is particularly important. Being accepted by peers is more important than being accepted by family, and this has an impact on feelings of self-worth. Teenagers and their parents will find much to fascinate them in this updated edition of Nicola Morgan’s skilful, non-scientists explanation of the complex and specific science that makes teenagehood such a specific period of growing up.
Blame My Brain is not an academic book and it’s not appropriate or necessary for me to include all the references to research that I mention, so I have always sprinkled these lightly and only where necessary. But it’s better for the references to be recent where more recent studies exist. So I’ve done that. Also, where stats were from pre-2013 I have updated them – for example, figures on risk-taking. 3. Clarified the chapter on gender and sex differences Neuroscience studies the physical mechanisms behind human decision-making, and that's what makes it special. For centuries philosophers and scientists have said that human choice is just a complicated physical process, that there is no 'tiny miracle' that happens in our brains when we choose. For many people this is hard to believe, but neuroscience has the potential to demonstrate in a compelling way that it's true, that we are ultimately physical beings. What this new paper indicates is that this scientific understanding of human nature affects people's moral and legal judgments." Protect some time every day to talk about their interests, even though these interests may not match yoursBe aware that our children and young people’s routines have significantly changed and not seeing friends will likely be very difficult. An increase of free time may also mean an increase in anxiety. Have empathy for what they might be missing and don’t dismiss their anxieties even though they seem small Our brains are in our hands. Not completely, because there are always many things we can’t control or change, but far, far more than many people think. And certainly far more than most teenagers think. 4. How fascinating it is! Do not try to reason with your teen when they are upset or angry. They need to be in a calm state, and feel connected to you before you can reason with them
Thank you to readers, parents, teachers and librarians everywhere. I am beyond grateful for the success of Blame My Brain and proud to play my part in helping adolescents and their adults understand that, difficult as adolescence can often be, it is also truly fascinating, powerful and, in the words of the title, amazing.
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It has always been my belief that the more we understand how something – in this case, a brain – works, the better we can make it work, the more surely we can prevent things going wrong and fix them when they do. The quotes from Bengson reinforce the idea that it's a deterministic, "simple cause and effect" understanding of human decisions that challenges free will. Yet assimilating human decisions to random fluctuations doesn't seem a whole lot better than determinism. Are we morally responsible for our "brain noise"?
I talk to and write for teenagers and parents, teaching professionals and pastoral staff, education and literacy experts, humans who find life a challenge and those who sail through but want to understand more. Whoever I’m talking to, I use an engaging, warm voice that works for all ages. I’m never patronising or confusing. I think very carefully about you, whether you are listening to me talking or reading my books.
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Support teenagers to engage with friends, but continue to be available for them if/when things gowrong
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