Summary Of David Walsh's 'Why Do They Act That Way?'

The behavior of teenagers is explained with compassion and supportive insight in Why Do They Act That Way? by David Walsh, Ph.D. A book written for parents to help understand the behavior as teenagers change, it provides information that is valuable for educators as well. In explanations about processes of the brain that exceed normal growth, to windows of opportunities, to emotions and sexual identity, the book continually provides insight and tools for helping teenagers during this period.
The adolescent brain undergoes accelerated growth in cell branches in a process known as blossoming. It occurs in spurts throughout the brain and is an intense time for the production of dendrites. In fact, there will be an overabundance of branches that are formed. Next, the process of pruning, which happens to all brains, goes into its own form of hyper drive as neurons that are not used are eliminated at a higher rate than normal. This process is also known as the “use it or lose it phase” as the brain trims and eliminates based on limited use. …show more content…
I have known students who seem to be signing up for every afterschool activity or seem to have a new interest every week. In this way, the blossoming process manifests and coincides with other changes that accompany the changes of adolescent. Buddy*, a student in an 11th grade class, became involved with a Leadership class, Environmental club, Vocational cooking courses and a job. Although he did balance the stress and scheduling issues, I believe his brain was creating new branches to the neurons to accomplish this. However, will he continue all these clubs and activities next year, or will some of those new skills and ideas be pruned away after he ceases to exercise the pathways through continual use? This can only be determined based on what he does in the coming