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.

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

Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD, ABPP, is John Van Seters Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Stephen Hupp, PhD, 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.