David Yeager : The Science of Motivating Young People
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Guy Kawasaki hosts a special episode on parenting issues with guest David Yeager, a psychology professor and co-director of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. Yeager, who has a PhD from Stanford and is a fan of Carol Dweck, focuses his research on adolescent development. His book '10 to 25' explores motivating young people. Yeager read Kawasaki's book as a child, influenced by his father who worked in tech and sales in Silicon Valley and admired Kawasaki's business philosophy. Yeager challenges negative narratives about the 10 to 25-year-old brain, emphasizing that motivation issues stem from differences in attention focus, with young people prioritizing social standing and respect. Gangs recruit youth using sophisticated marketing tactics, operating like global corporations. Most at-risk youth do not join gangs, showing future-oriented thinking and self-control for meaningful causes. Puberty affects brain sensitivity to social rewards and punishments, with both boys and girls showing increased testosterone levels that influence brain functioning similarly. Nagging decreases brain activity in planning and social cognition areas, and teenagers often miss the implied meaning of nagging. Effective parenting involves respectful, collaborative problem-solving, avoiding authoritarian or overly lenient approaches, and maintaining high standards and support. The incompetence model views young people as irrational and shortsighted, but modern neuroscience finds this model incomplete. Teen brains are more sensitive to social rewards and punishments, with emotional regions guiding the prefrontal cortex in social contexts. Teenagers' experiences shape their behavior and planning abilities, with new scanning technology revealing temporal links in brain activity. Concerns about misusing neuroscience in legal contexts are valid, as early neuroscience tested messages about teenage brains for court use. Teenagers' actions are driven by social status and respect, with environmental responsiveness leading to both positive and negative behaviors. Halim Flowers, sentenced to 40 years at age 16, is now a successful artist, emphasizing the potential for change and accountability. Yeager discusses different mindsets, including mentor, enforcer, protector, and apathetic, with the mentor mindset combining high standards with high support. Yeager praises Kawasaki's mentor mindset and collaborates with Carol Dweck and Mary Murphy on growth mindset projects. Effective mentoring aligns behavior with long-term interests, balancing high standards and support. Voter turnout among young people is influenced by value, motivation, and logistics, with weekend voting potentially increasing turnout. Structural issues and voter suppression need addressing, and positive framing can inspire continuous engagement. Yeager's book combines scientific experiments and real-life stories, offering practical tips and a narrative experience. The mentor mindset is relevant beyond age 25, focusing on enabling autonomy and social acceptance. Guy Kawasaki thanks his team and family.
Guy Kawasaki hosts a special episode on parenting issues with guest David Yeager, a psychology profe