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Saturday, November 14, 2009

First in the class
Temple professor Laurence Steinberg

Temple University Professor Laurence Steinberg’s $1 million award for his research on teen behavior is timely recognition for his groundbreaking work.


It comes as the Supreme Court is debating two cases in which Steinberg’s research may help influence the outcome.
 

The court is considering whether it is unconstitutional for juveniles to be sent to prison for life without the possibility of parole for crimes other than homicides.
 

Steinberg advised the American Psychological Association in preparation for a brief filed with the high court.
 

He argues that teen brains are more susceptible to rewards-driven behavior because of a surge in dopamine activity, and the system that governs impulse control isn’t fully developed. That leaves teens more prone to reckless driving, criminal activity, unprotected sex, and other risky behavior.
 

Steinberg’s research played a role in a previous case before the Supreme Court. He was a consultant for the psychological association in the 2005 case Roper v. Simmons, in which the Supreme Court abolished the death penalty for juveniles.
 

The award given this week by the Jacobs Foundation of Switzerland underscores the importance of Steinberg’s research. He is the first recipient of the award.
 

The money will be used to expand his research on an international scale. He plans to compare his findings on Americans with youths in other countries.
 

Steinberg was selected from among 19 nominees by a cross-disciplinary jury of seven scientists from major research institutions around the world.
 

Steinberg was informed of the honor in a phone call from the Zurich foundation. “I was speechless,” he said.
 

Likely, so were many of his colleagues at Temple. The award is well-deserved and should secure Steinberg’s place as a leading scholar on teen behavior.
 
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