Laurence Steinberg
Full Name and Common Aliases
Laurence Steinberg is a renowned American psychologist, author, and academic who has made significant contributions to the field of adolescent development.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 21, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York, Laurence Steinberg is still active in his career as an adult.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Laurence Steinberg holds American nationality and is primarily known for his work as a psychologist, author, and professor. He has also contributed to policy-making efforts on adolescent issues.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Steinberg's early life shaped his interest in psychology and adolescent development. His family's experiences and neighborhood environment influenced his perspectives on social issues and the importance of understanding adolescents' needs.
Steinberg developed a strong foundation in education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. He continued to pursue his academic interests by earning a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His extensive education and research experiences have made him an expert on adolescent psychology.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Steinberg has achieved several significant milestones that have contributed to our understanding of adolescents:
Leading Researcher: Steinberg is a prominent researcher in the field of adolescent development. He has directed numerous studies examining various aspects of adolescence, including brain development, social relationships, and risk-taking behaviors.
Authoritative Books: Steinberg has written influential books on adolescent psychology, such as "Beyond the Front Door: The American Teenager's Right to Privacy" and "Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence." These works have been widely praised for their insightful analysis of adolescent development.
Policy Contributions: Steinberg has also made substantial contributions to policy-making efforts on adolescent issues. He has served as a consultant to organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).Notable Works or Actions
Some of Steinberg's notable works include:
"Beyond the Front Door": This book, published in 1996, explores the complex relationships between parents, adolescents, and the law. Steinberg argues that adolescents require a balance of freedom and guidance to develop into responsible individuals.
"Age of Opportunity": Published in 2014, this book examines recent research on adolescent brain development and its implications for education, social policy, and family dynamics.Impact and Legacy
Laurence Steinberg's work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of adolescence. His research has challenged traditional views on adolescent development, emphasizing the importance of considering adolescents' unique needs and perspectives:
Challenging Stereotypes: Steinberg's findings have helped to dispel common myths about adolescents, such as the notion that they are inherently impulsive or irresponsible.
Informing Policy: His research has informed policy-making efforts on issues like juvenile justice, education, and mental health.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Laurence Steinberg is widely quoted and remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to adolescent psychology:
Authority on Adolescence: Steinberg's expertise on adolescence has made him a trusted source for media outlets, policymakers, and the general public.
* Accessible Communication: He has effectively communicated complex research findings to diverse audiences through engaging writing and public speaking.
Quotes by Laurence Steinberg
Parents sometimes feel that if they don't criticize their child, their child will never learn. Criticism doesn't make people wantto change; it makes them defensive.
Most adults would not dream of belittling, humiliating, or bullying (verbally or physically) another adult. But many of the same adults think nothing of treating their adolescent child like a nonperson. . . . Adolescents deserve the same civility their parents routinely extend to total strangers.
Adolescents sometimes say..."My friends listen to me, but my parents only hear me talk." Often they are right. Familiarity breeds inattention.
Adolescents need to be reassured that nothing-neither their growing maturity, their moods, their misbehavior, nor your anger at something they have done-can shake your basic commitment to them.
At a stage when young people want more than anything to be like everyone else, they find themselves the least alike. Everyone their age is growing and changing, but each at his or her own pace.
Peer pressure is not a monolithic force that presses adolescents into the same mold. . . . Adolescents generally choose friend whose values, attitudes, tastes, and families are similar to their own. In short, good kids rarely go bad because of their friends.
Adolescents have the right to be themselves. The fact that you were the belle of the ball, the captain of the lacrosse team, the president of your senior class, Phi Beta Kappa, or a political activist doesn't mean that your teenager will be or should be the same....Likewise, the fact that you were a wallflower, uncoordinated, and a C student shouldn't mean that you push your child to be everything you were not.
What causes adolescents to rebel is not the assertion of authority but the arbitrary use of power, with little explanation of therules and no involvement in decision-making. . . . Involving the adolescent in decisions doesn't mean that you are giving up your authority. It means acknowledging that the teenager is growing up and has the right to participate in decisions that affect his or her life.
Let your child be the teenager he or she wants to be, not the adolescent you were or wish you had been.
The parent-adolescent relationship is like a partnership in which the senior partner (the parent) has more expertise in many areasbut looks forward to the day when the junior partner (the adolescent) will take over the business of running his or her own life.