Editorial Review
In this national bestseller, acclaimed, award-winning psychologist Dr. David Walsh explains exactly what happens to the human brain on the path from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Revealing the latest scientific findings in easy-to-understand terms, Dr. Walsh shows why moodiness, quickness to anger and to take risks, miscommunication, fatigue, territoriality, and other familiar teenage behavior problems are so common -- all are linked to physical changes and growth in the adolescent brain.
Why Do They Act That Way? is the first book to explain the changes in teens' brains and show parents how to use this information to understand, communicate with, and stay connected to their kids. Through real-life stories, Dr. Walsh makes sense of teenagers' many mystifying, annoying, and even outright dangerous behavioral difficulties and provides realistic solutions for dealing with everyday as well as severe challenges. Dr. Walsh's techniques include, among others: sample dialogues that help teens and parents talk civilly and constructively with each other, behavioral contracts, and Parental Survival Kits that provide practical advice for dealing with issues like curfews, disrespectful language and actions, and bullying. With this arsenal of strategies, parents can help their kids learn to control impulses, manage erratic behavior, cope with their changing bodies, and, in effect, develop a second brain.
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Customer Reviews
Every Parent/Teacher Should Read This Book!! 
2008-07-03
I have ordered probably dozens of books on Amazon.com and never felt compelled to write a review of a book.
I have a 13 year old girl and although we have not yet experieced any serious behavior issues (she has exhibited some unexplainable verbal outbursts and moodiness) I want to do everything in my power to maintain a good relationship with her and limit the chances that she does experience serious issues like drug and alcohol abuse, anorexia, depression, etc. as she goes through these difficult years.
I have read many books, and feel this is the first book that has enabled me to have an understanding of teen behavior and feel confident my husband and I have a game plan on how to deal with the various issues which will arise.
I suggest that anyone who comes into contact with teens--parents, teachers, etc.--read this book!!!
Why do they act that way? 2008-02-29
I highly reccomend this book. It clearly defines what is going on with teens and why....amazing that most teens have the same behaviors....and this is why. A must book for all parents.
The Perfect Companion Book 2008-02-18
Dr. Walsh, your book was recommended to me last week, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. As I read your analysis of how adolescent brain development and chemistry impact teen behaviors, I was better able to understand the academic reasoning behind my new teen self-help book "What Your Mother Never Told You: A Survival Guide For Teenage Girls." What Your Mother Never Told You: A Teenage Girls Survival Guide
I am not an expert trained in psychology or child development, but I found myself reading the thoughts and passion in my book in almost every page of yours! "Why Do They Act That Way" is the first book written for parents of teens that I fully appreciate. You explain to parents in digestible scientific terms, what I have tried so hard to explain to the teens in their own language. Your book in it's entirety, beautifully articulates and clarifies everything I try to communicate, and so much more, in the five page "Letter to Parents, Caregivers, and Counselors" at the beginning of my book.
Although our respective books target different audiences, the combination of the two books give both the scientific and practical advice that will have a definite positive impact on the quality of life for both teens and parents of teens. I intend to recommend your book at every opportunity.
Why Do They Act That Way?: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen 2007-01-18
We have found this book to be extremely helpful. Raising a teenager is an amazing experience and it helps to have some expert, non partial advice that is backed by research. We especially appreciated the fact that the author does not offer excuses, but helps everyone remain responsible for their behavior, including parents. It was so helpful for us that we bought it as a gift for two different families that are raising teenagers. It was passed on to us by another family that is raising teenagers. Parents are looking for sound instruction. This book provides great insight to what is really going on inside those mysterious heads.
Why do They Act This Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain and Your Teen 2006-10-29
David Walsh is very readable, has a strong sense of humor necessary to deal with the teen psyche, and speaks well to frustrated parents about why their kids do what they do, and how to look at from their perspective and then deal with it more effectively. It's a fun read.
Excellent ---A Must Have for ALL parents 2005-11-04
In this national bestseller, acclaimed, award-winning psychologist Dr. David Walsh explains exactly what happens to the human brain on the path from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Revealing the latest scientific findings in easy-to-understand terms, Dr. Walsh shows why moodiness, quickness to anger and to take risks, miscommunication, fatigue, territoriality, and other familiar teenage behavior problems are so common -- all are linked to physical changes and growth in the adolescent brain.
Why Do They Act That Way? is the first book to explain the changes in teens' brains and show parents how to use this information to understand, communicate with, and stay connected to their kids. Through real-life stories, Dr. Walsh makes sense of teenagers' many mystifying, annoying, and even outright dangerous behavioral difficulties and provides realistic solutions for dealing with everyday as well as severe challenges. Dr. Walsh's techniques include, among others: sample dialogues that help teens and parents talk civilly and constructively with each other, behavioral contracts, and Parental Survival Kits that provide practical advice for dealing with issues like curfews, disrespectful language and actions, and bullying. With this arsenal of strategies, parents can help their kids learn to control impulses, manage erratic behavior, cope with their changing bodies, and, in effect, develop a second brain.
A must for an parent of an adolescent 2005-07-19
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in two sittings. There were so many good and funny examples of real life situations that as a parent of a teenager, one can relate to all too well.
The author is well informed and the information about the human brain development is critical to understanding how to connect and deal with you teenager.
Highly recommend to all.
Interesting, enlightening, and useful 
2005-07-16
I was a hard sell when given this book. I was concerned that it was going to offer One Big Excuse for sorry teen-age behavior. I was already seeing the headlines: Teen Not Guilty; It wasn't his fault; His PFC made him do it!
Instead, I learned a great deal from this book. I wish the science had been there years ago. Besides getting a peek into the seemingly unfathomable teen-age brain, Walsh gave valuable information about how to handle the problems that come up as a result of the difficult transition known as adolescence. I see this information not so much as an excuse for poor behavior as it is a guide to lead people away from it. I recommend this book to teachers or anyone who has a child younger than 25!
Got Teens? Get this Book! 2005-07-13
(...) I have encluded the original text here because I truely believe in the value of this book!
BOOK REVIEW
Why Do They Act That Way?
David Walsh, Ph.D.
A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen
Copyright 2004 by Free Press, a division of Simon and Schuster Inc.
Dr. Walsh, relying on the most up to date science, gives us a tour through the
complexities of the adolescent brain. He has been able to successfully connect behavior to
the physical changes occurring in within the mind of the teenager.
This is a fourteen-chapter, 276-page book that is written for the general reader. The
intended audience are parents of teenagers and others that come into intimate contact with them.
After reading this book my body of knowledge, as it applies to teenagers, has expanded. The information as been so intertwined within my original consciousness that I hardly know what is new and what is not. I find this type of information absorption highly valuable. I am certain that should I take the time to re-read this book in the future even more could be gleaned and would be well worth my time and effort.
I am so impressed with this books content that it should be recommended reading for any class, whether for foster parents or others learning to understand and successfully deal with teenagers.
Each chapter is arranged around a topic and then is concluded with either a punctuated do vs. don't list or a yes or no questionnaire. This is an efficient method of examining our own beliefs, reviewing relevant information or confronting new ideas. I found these lists insightful and helpful.
Rather than do a chapter-by-chapter review of this book I would like to talk about different portions of the book over the next few weeks, so that I can take time to look at a subject in more depth. To conclude, let me give this the highest possible rating when it comes to the value vs. time investment for parents, foster parents or others that come in contact with teenagers. I hope you run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and order up yourself a copy!
Highly Recommended for Parents of Adolescents 2005-05-01
This will likely benefit anyone who is a parent of an adolescent. I think that it would also be helpful to adolescents themselves (if they would read it) in understanding some of their own behavior.
Walsh provides a lot of information on the latest research in brain development from adolescence to adulthood and its effects on attitudes, behavior, etc. He also discusses hormonal changes as well as cultural and other influences that are helpful in understanding the teen years.
Along with the scientific research he provides, Dr. Walsh also compares parenting styles, discusses activities for kids that can help in the short and long term, and provides realistic ideas for parenting during these tumultuous years. One of his particularly good suggestions is behavioral contracts. He provides a couple of specific examples of these, which are quite good.
One great quote that he has to start off chapter one makes it clear that surviving adolescence has been an issue for millennia: "Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers". This is attributed to none other than Socrates in the fifth century, B.C.
Walsh clearly defines adolescence: "it begins at puberty and ends ... sometime".
Interwoven with the scientific information and helpful tips, he relates some stories, funny and otherwise, that most parents of those in this age group will be able to understand. One that I found particularly humorous related to ultra cold weather and adolescent dressing habits. This can be found on page 214.
I recommend this book.
