Unchanged Mind: The Problem of Immaturity in Adolescence

by John A. McKinnon

Until the last decade of the twentieth century, the abusive or cruel treatment of animals had received virtually no attention among academicians. Since then, however, empirical studies of animal abuse, and its relation to other forms of violence toward humans, have increased not only in number but in quality and stature. Sociologists, criminologists, social workers, psychologists, legal scholars, feminists, and others have recognized the myriad reasons that animal abuse is worthy of serious scholarly focus. In his overview of contemporary sociological understanding of animal abuse, Clifton Flynn asks why studying animal abuse is important, examines the connections between animal abuse and human violence, surveys the theses surrounding the supposed link between abuse of animals and humans, and lays out some theoretical perspectives on the issue. The book offers recommendations for policy and professionals and directions for future research. Ultimately, Understanding Animal Abuse challenges the reader to consider animal abuse as not limited just to harmful acts committed by individuals. It asks us to extend our notion of abuse to the systemic cruelty of factory farms and vivisection laboratories.

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2008

Reviews

[Mary Newcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best I've read on understanding the troubled teenage mind. Fascinating and painful all at once for those of us in the middle of it.

[blue true]

i lived under dr mckinnons care for 3 years as a teenager. when i was there the school was only a few years old and there were about 60 other kids with me. most are addicted to drugs now, many some homeless or roaming. few have finished college. 3 are dead. many of us have spent time in prison and we all only around he age of 25 now. when we turned 18 we were sent off and that was it alone to face the real world with little support if any. so i think some things need to get rethought... im not sure if i would say the book is helpful if its being based off our success rates wich at the moment is averaging 10%.. PARENTS, IF BEING A SUCCESSFUL CARETAKER OF YOUR CHILDREN IS WHAT YOU WANT YOU HAVE TO WORK EXTRA HARD ALL THE TIME, THROUGH TEARS AND FEARS AND HEARTBREAK. PARENTING IS HARD AND PAINFUL. BUT IF YOU GIVE UP CUSTODY BECAUSE YOU THINK YOUR KIDS IS JUST TOO DIFFICULT THAT IS GIVING UP ND YOUR CHILD WILL ULTIMATELY SUFFER.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's about helping immature adolescents to mature. It identifies 5 areas of flawed thinking: gross narcissism, lack of true empathy, "puppet" relationships (you are here only to serve me), magical thinking about the future (no set plans about the future, lack in executive functioning), and selfish and concrete morals (only concerned about getting caught).

[Carrie Weiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the content of this book is amazing, I find the writing style to be a tad pompous. Using words that the average person reading this book would not know. I also find that the chapters are very repetitive. I do however agree with the immaturity model 100%. My daughter is attending a program like what he describes and this book is very helpful to understand the process.

[Dexter]

If you are a parent of a troubled teen, you will find this book invaluable. If you are an educational consultant, this book provides an excellent understanding of today's youth and the causes and treatment of behavioral and emotional problems. If you are involved with an RTC, therapeutic boarding school or a wilderness program, this book introduces cohesive and comprehensive approaches to understanding the vast majority of the youth who enter these programs and presents viable remedies.

The book weaves McKinnon's journey as a psychiatrist through the failures inherent in the disjointed systems of managed care. He discusses the management and failures of psychotropic medications which treat the symptoms, but not the causes, of behavioral and emotional problems exhibited in so many youth today. His story discusses the beginning of Montana Academy and its ten years of working with adolescents in a near perfect environment. This story is not about Montana Academy, and McKinnon's point of view could apply to any program across the country as well as serve as a parenting guide to many families.

The book proposes that a developmental point of view is necessary for psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and teachers to fully make sense out of the many troubles of adolescents. He suggests that the global breakdown of an adolescent is best explained not as an acute mental disorder that calls for a pill, but as a disrupted maturation that calls for sustained parental intervention of a very different kind.

The book covers normal adolescent development and discusses the devastation caused by an adolescent failing to mature through each developmental stage which leads to breakdowns in the maturation process. The book covers the cause of these maturation lags that are referred to as obstacles to normal healthy development. These obstacles can be intrinsic or extrinsic obstacles, clearly explained in the book.

Ultimately, a remedy includes removing obstacles and the application of day to day recognition, daily limit setting and boundaries which must be sustained over time. The program cannot take over the complete role of limit setting. The parents have to agree to become full participants in the process. The book details the practices at Montana Academy.

Dr. John McKinnon's book took me back years ago when I was a young, eager and energetic man who was excited to find answers from that day's great clinical thinkers and writers. I loved reading Karl Menninger, the founding father of psychiatry, Don Rinsley, a brilliant graduate of the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry, and Sherman Feinstein, known as the founding father of adolescent psychiatry. All inspired those of us in the work of treating troubled adolescents, many of whom were treated previously in long term hospitalization and residential treatment.

I found this book to ignite my enthusiasm in treating adolescents. Most people who work with adolescents continually seek answers to the complexities programs face when working with young people. I started reading his book, An Unchanged Mind, and found it difficult to put down. I believe this book is the most important book written about what is referred to as the Parent Choice Schools and Programs.

[Jonathan Case · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful perspectives on developmental stages/ immaturity. I like the gear shift analogy. I like the different categories of maturation. The book was a little dense and hard for me to read for long periods of time. As I got into it, I found myself more and more captivated at this alternative (or perhaps supplement?) to traditional dsm diagnosis.

Out of curiosity, I've tried to find the maturity scale referenced in the book. The most recent research I could find is three years old and stated that the MAMA is still in beta mode. Still, I was impressed with the data provided and the thorough research methods.

[Thomas Fackler · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKinnon sets forth a plausible hypothesis not only for teenage/adolescent developmental setbacks as he intends, but also for problematic adult behavior as well. The hypothesis also works for pre-teens on back to toddlers. In a nutshell roadblocks on the bike path to maturity become permanent disabilities that are all to often pharmacologized away in the semi-lucky cases or incarcerated in the adult cases.

[Michael Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great theory on why "at-risk" teens are the way they are. According to the author, the problem is a lack of maturity/empathy. He does an excellent job of illustrating the common traits of toddlers and immature teens. I have used the insight in this book on numerous occasions as I notice the behavior and mindsets of those around me.

[David Manin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for parents of troubled teens. Very insightful and helpful.

[Noel Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at immaturity, which applies no only to adolescents but the kind of adolescence that lasts many Americans well into middle age.

[Christopher Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practical tips and case studies on helping struggling teens.