Advances in Adolescent Psychology. 2nd ed.

Jane Heath teaches psychology at Ryerson Polytechnical University in
Toronto.

In presenting the central issues in adolescent psychology, this book
draws on “[the] empirical and philosophical; medical and literary;
sociological and psychometric; synthetic and critical.” A strongly
sociopolitical and humanistic approach is taken to the adolescent
experience, and the philosophical and literary tone of much of the
discussion will be appreciated (or not) according to the orientation of
the reader.

The book is divided into four parts. Part 1, “Fundamentals,”
attempts to conceptualize adolescence within a theoretical and
philosophical framework. Part 2, “Contexts of Adolescence,” looks at
the cultural context of adolescence, particularly with reference to the
mass media. Part 3, “Nature of Adolescence,” examines the experience
of adolescence, considering how that experience is perceived by
adolescents and those (teachers in particular) who work with and
influence youth. Part 4, “Trouble of and Trouble with Adolescence,”
focuses on adolescent suicide, delinquency, and abuse.

While Advances in Adolescent Psychology offers some thoughtful—and
thought-provoking—discussions, much of it seems speculative rather
than empirical, informed not by available research but by the authors’
own research and theoretical biases. The book does not appear to offer a
notably clear or comprehensive view of the field of adolescent
psychology.