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10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People
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10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People

David Yeager, PhD

David Yeager
Family Action Network, 2024
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Curious how to connect with the next generation? In this insightful lecture, psychologist David Yeager reveals groundbreaking research on how to engage and motivate the younger members of gen Z by understanding their unique developmental needs. Young people’s sensitivity to respect and autonomy shapes how they interpret feedback from authority figures. Thus, seemingly minor adjustments in language and approach can have profound effects on their response to guidance. By aligning feedback with clear standards and genuine support, mentors can encourage gen Z to embrace challenges — rather than disengage.

Summary

Hormonal shifts affect how young people respond to feedback and instruction.

For managers, teachers, coaches, and parents, it might seem that today’s young people don’t want to work hard or listen to feedback, and resist instruction. These individuals seem to face what’s called the mentor’s dilemma: a choice between giving hard-nosed feedback that may crush young people or cause animosity or holding back needed feedback to spare the younger generation’s feelings. But neither of these options addresses the real dynamics at play when an older person is trying to guide or teach gen Z. Young people don’t lack motivation or resilience. And the solution to avoiding backlash isn’t to withhold information. The crux of the issue lies in how older people communicate. Young people are happy to take instruction when it’s offered in a way that demonstrates respect, support, and encouragement.

Research shows that during puberty, young people...

About the Speaker

David Yeager is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin whose research focuses on youth and equality of opportunity. He’s co-founder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute and author of the best-selling 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People.

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