Dr. Delaney sits down with acclaimed developmental psychologist David Yeager, Ph.D., to discuss his groundbreaking book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People.

Together, they delve into the transformative power of adopting a mentor mindset to simplify parenting — especially when tackling tech time challenges. Learn why combining high standards with high support is a game-changer, and uncover the key elements of "wise feedback" that make it so impactful, as shown across various studies.

This episode offers science-backed communication techniques on topics like respectful versus disrespectful language, validation, cooperative problem-solving, and more. Parents will walk away with practical strategies to approach screen time struggles with confidence and clarity.

Featured Expert

David Yeager, PhD

Books

The Science of Motivating Young People, by David Yeager

Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides, by Geoffrey L. Cohen

Research References

1. Yeager, D. et al. Breaking the cycle of mistrust: Wise interventions to provide critical feedback across the racial divide. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(2), 804–824, 2014.

2. Dobson, K. et al. A Transparency Statement Improves Community-Police Interactions. Research Square (Research Square), 2022.

3. Yeager, D. et al. A Transparency Statement Transforms Community-Police Interactions. Research Square (Research Square), 2022.

4. Telzer, E. et al. Ventral striatum activation to prosocial rewards predicts longitudinal declines in adolescent risk taking. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 3, 45–52, 2013.

Time Code

00:00 Introduction to the Screenagers Podcast

00:23 Meet David Yeager: Growth Mindset and Mentor Mindset

02:34 The Mentor's Dilemma: Balancing Criticism and Support

04:23 Wise Feedback: The Key to Motivating Youth

10:17 Transparency and Benevolent Intentions

12:45 Understanding Adolescent Motivation: Status and Respect

17:42 The Role of Testosterone in Adolescent Development

20:47 Respectful Communication: The Vegemite Experiment

24:15 Testosterone and Behavior

25:50 Parenting Challenges and Mentor Mindset

27:04 The Science of Nagging

29:25 Effective Communication with Teens

32:45 Collaborative Troubleshooting

34:41 Balancing Screen Time and Life Goals

36:53 The Enforcer vs. Mentor Mindset

41:30 Concluding Thoughts and Resources