Challenging stereotypes of teens: Reframing adolescence as window of opportunity

In this review, we seek to challenge negative stereotypes of adolescence and unpack the many ways that the developing brain contributes to positive development during the adolescent years. In particular, we will show that risk-taking is not inevitable and risks can be highly adaptive and positive; adolescents are not overly self-centered but engage in other-oriented prosocial behaviors in remarkable ways; adolescents are not only susceptible to negative peer influence but can resist negative peer influence and conform more to positive peer influence; and adolescents do not orient away from the family, but the family remains a constant and important source of influence into adolescence. We outline considerations that researchers can use to reframe their research questions to provide a more balanced perspective on adolescent development, thereby promoting positive development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).