Good girls and vampires: 'Twilight' altering teen minds?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...-behavior/

It's a potentially sucky situation. The vampire craze in teen literature – exemplified by the "Twilight" book series – could be affecting the dynamic workings of the teenage brain in ways scientists don't yet understand.

"We don't know exactly how literature affects the brain, but we know that it does," said Maria Nikolajeva, a Cambridge University professor of literature. "Some new findings have identified spots in the brain that respond to literature and art."

Scientists, authors and educators met in Cambridge, England, Sept. 3-5 for a conference organized by Nikolajeva to discuss how young-adult books and movies affect teenagers' minds.

"For young people, everything is so strange, and you cannot really say why you react to things – it's a difficult period to be a human being," Nikolajeva told LiveScience. The conference, she said, brought together "people from different disciplines to share what we know about this turbulent period we call adolescence."

Sessions included "What Is It About Good Girls and Vampires?" addressing the huge popularity of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series and other vampire-themed books. [ The Real Science & Hi... Vampires ]

Brain science
Teenagers' minds are more susceptible than adult minds to influence – from peers and experiences as well as from books, movies and music, researchers say.

"What we have learned over the past decade is that the teenage brain processes information differently than a more mature brain," said conference presenter Karen Coats, a professor of English at Illinois State University who integrates neuroscience into her research. "Brain imaging shows that teens are more likely to respond to situations emotionally, and they are less likely to consider consequences through rational forethought."

That's because the teenage prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and risk assessment, goes through a growth spurt before puberty, followed by a period of organizing and pruning of the neural pathways, Coats said.

Linguistic anthropologist Shirley Brice Heath of Stanford University, a keynote speaker at the conference, is studying how reading longer novels habituates the brain toward a greater capacity for sustained attention to visual material.

"What neuroscience opens for us is what happens within the brain during specific activities that take place within identifiable emotional or motivational states," Heath said by e-mail. "For example, we know now that in reading about particular activities (especially those known to the readers), motor-neuronal activity is detected."

Is Bella a good role model?
Attendees at the conference included experts in neuroscience, psychology, art, literature and music, as well as writers such as Meg Rosoff, author of "How I Live Now" and other teen titles.

While teens might be turning the pages of " Twilight " for the plot and romance, other takeaways from the books may be having a lasting impact, too.

The series follows Bella, a teenage girl who falls in love with a much older vampire named Edward. Some critics have argued that Bella's passivity, and the story's abstinence-until-marriage message, are anti-feminist.

"If you look very, very clearly at what kind of values the 'Twilight' books propagate, these are very conservative values that do not in any way endorse independent thinking or personal development or a woman's position as an independent creature," Nikolajeva said. "That's quite depressing."

Dark vs. light
Researchers are interested in how such dark works might affect young minds, and why teenagers are especially drawn to stories with vampires, zombies, and post-apocalyptic and dystopian themes.

"We all remember being teenage is a difficult period, full of contradictions – dark feelings one day, joyful feelings the next. The 'Twilight' books are very much about this, about budding sexuality and not really knowing what you are," Nikolajeva said. "Although I'm not at all a fan of 'Twilight,' I do understand the appeal of it."

Nikolajeva argued that authors have a moral responsibility to include some positivity and hope in works aimed at teens.

"If young people read books where there is no hope at all, it's really damaging," she said. "We need to be aware of young people's being influenced by what they read or watch, the games they play. It all plays a very important role."

Another popular teen book series, the "Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins, straddles the line between dark and hopeful, Nikolajeva said. Its themes – a dystopian future where teens must battle to the death on reality TV – appeal to teenagers' dark side, yet its ultimately hopeful message is probably having a good influence on young people, she said.

The conference marked the beginning of a critical dialogue about the role of literature on teen minds and behaviors, she said.

"I think the most important thing to bear in mind is that neither a sciences approach nor a humanities approach gives us the entire picture of how teens interact with literature," Coats said.

i remember about a year ago we had a discussion about the Twilight series.

who would have guessed the same discussion would actually occur at this conference?

now, i'm curious how many parents on this message board will forbid their teens from reading the series?

and, does anyone on this board agree that authors have a 'moral duty' to take into account the vulnerabilities of their readership?

XxAxX said:

i remember about a year ago we had a discussion about the Twilight series.

who would have guessed the same discussion would actually occur at this conference?

now, i'm curious how many parents on this message board will forbid their teens from reading the series?

and, does anyone on this board agree that authors have a 'moral duty' to take into account the vulnerabilities of their readership?

I have three daughters, 18, 12 and 10 and they will never ever read this crap!!!

Just kidding. all three of my daughters have seen all the movies and read all the books at least once. I rather have them read a book than watch MTV or other crap like that.

A person is not limited to the sum of what they read.

i admit i am motivated by a teensy bit of 'i-told-you-so' about this topic.

i took such a BEATING for voicing this opinion

it is quite gratifying to know that Maria Nikolajeva, a Cambridge University professor of literature, sides with me

sorry stephanie. good for you but i still don't like bella

For the parts you bolded in the OP, you could substitute almost any religious text for "Twilight" and keep the rest of the sentences the same.

That said, I'm not sure the reporter of this got the full story or really understood the science being reported. I think they just wanted that grabby "Twilight altering teen minds?" headline more than anything else.

Efan said:

For the parts you bolded in the OP, you could substitute almost any religious text for "Twilight" and keep the rest of the sentences the same.

That said, I'm not sure the reporter of this got the full story or really understood the science being reported. I think they just wanted that grabby "Twilight altering teen minds?" headline more than anything else.

the underlying point is that, until age 25, the human brain is not 'fully wired'. personal morality is something that comes late to most human beings.

teens in particular do not process information the same way adults do.

the conference addresses how the content of literature can affect tens in unintended ways.

i think it's basically the same premise underlying the old 'violent video games create violent teens' argument

XxAxX said:

Efan said:

For the parts you bolded in the OP, you could substitute almost any religious text for "Twilight" and keep the rest of the sentences the same.

That said, I'm not sure the reporter of this got the full story or really understood the science being reported. I think they just wanted that grabby "Twilight altering teen minds?" headline more than anything else.

the underlying point is that, until age 25, the human brain is not 'fully wired'. personal morality is something that comes late to most human beings.

teens in particular do not process information the same way adults do.

the conference addresses how the content of literature can affect tens in unintended ways.

i think it's basically the same premise underlying the old 'violent video games create violent teens' argument

It's the same premise for any media someone thinks is harming children - music, books, video games, MTV, whatever.

I think as long as we're having a dialogue with our children and teens about "what it all means" that's what's important.

XxAxX said:

i remember about a year ago we had a discussion about the Twilight series.

who would have guessed the same discussion would actually occur at this conference?

now, i'm curious how many parents on this message board will forbid their teens from reading the series?

I would never forbid my kids from reading anything.

They're voracious readers, and two of them are into the Twilight series. We talk about the content and how they feel about it, as we do with everything they read.

Twilight is hardly the only book or movie out there that's sending our kids less than feminist messages.

Wow is all I can say...I feel over analyzing this book series is making me sick. Just like anything else in this world someone out there will find something wrong with it. I am sorry I enjoy these books, but they are just that books!

No.

CarrieMpls said:

XxAxX said:

the underlying point is that, until age 25, the human brain is not 'fully wired'. personal morality is something that comes late to most human beings.

teens in particular do not process information the same way adults do.

the conference addresses how the content of literature can affect tens in unintended ways.

i think it's basically the same premise underlying the old 'violent video games create violent teens' argument

It's the same premise for any media someone thinks is harming children - music, books, video games, MTV, whatever.

I think as long as we're having a dialogue with our children and teens about "what it all means" that's what's important.

i agree. communicating is crucial.

here is why i am so obsessed with this subject. without going into a lot of personal background, let me just say that it is a fact that, right here in civilized America, one in four (that was 1 in 4) women will be beaten and/or raped and/or snuffed by her significant other.

BY HER SIGNFICANT OTHER.

this is the biggest meanest elephant that ever hunkered down and sucked the light out of a room. it is a huge problem. we don't have sufficient legislation,nor enforcement of legislation, to be safe even in our own homes.

so let's teach our neices,sisters and daughers to think critically about the men in their lives. to not be passive. to be selective and strong enough in themselves that they do not run blindly into situations that ultimately result in their own demise.

'feminism' is important not just because of the ideal behind it (hey, we're people too!), but also because it is literally a life-saving point of view. a teenage girl who has been taught to view the people around her and the stiuations in which she finds herself will have a much better chance of surviving a domestic abuse situation.

there. this is the thorn in my side that won't quit. i wish my neice were growing up into a world where things like rohypnol didn't exist, and guys with the intent to use it were non-existent.

PunkMistress said:

XxAxX said:

i remember about a year ago we had a discussion about the Twilight series.

who would have guessed the same discussion would actually occur at this conference?

now, i'm curious how many parents on this message board will forbid their teens from reading the series?

I would never forbid my kids from reading anything.

They're voracious readers, and two of them are into the Twilight series. We talk about the content and how they feel about it, as we do with everything they read.

Twilight is hardly the only book or movie out there that's sending our kids less than feminist messages.

i know. and believe me, it's been brought to my attention that i tend to be a bit critical in my posted viewpoints.

i admire stephanie myers. her work is well written and enjoyable. i just have my own personal issues that prevent me from fully embracing the theme she offers.

MoniGram said:

Wow is all I can say...I feel over analyzing this book series is making me sick. Just like anything else in this world someone out there will find something wrong with it. I am sorry I enjoy these books, but they are just that books!

true! and this thread is only a thread in the general discussion forum of a website about a popstar. i am not working for the new york times, my opinion ism the kind of thing that will sink to the bottom of this page and become lost forever, just like all the other rants voiced here. and no one in their right mind will truly give a shit about, or take personal offense at, what i have to say, right?

Cerebus said:

No.

'No' what? 'No' to the question of whether teen minds are impressionable?

'No' to the entire concept of this thread, which is something you object to so strongly you logged in, and posted on it?

'No" to the sun won't shine today?

'No' to my personal grudge against any form of mechanism which (in my opinion*) perpetuates the mindset that keeps women in danger of their lives in their most intimate relationships?

*See, disclaimer

XxAxX said:

CarrieMpls said:

It's the same premise for any media someone thinks is harming children - music, books, video games, MTV, whatever.

I think as long as we're having a dialogue with our children and teens about "what it all means" that's what's important.

i agree. communicating is crucial.

here is why i am so obsessed with this subject. without going into a lot of personal background, let me just say that it is a fact that, right here in civilized America, one in four (that was 1 in 4) women will be beaten and/or raped and/or snuffed by her significant other.

BY HER SIGNFICANT OTHER.

this is the biggest meanest elephant that ever hunkered down and sucked the light out of a room. it is a huge problem. we don't have sufficient legislation,nor enforcement of legislation, to be safe even in our own homes.

so let's teach our neices,sisters and daughers to think critically about the men in their lives. to not be passive. to be selective and strong enough in themselves that they do not run blindly into situations that ultimately result in their own demise.

'feminism' is important not just because of the ideal behind it (hey, we're people too!), but also because it is literally a life-saving point of view. a teenage girl who has been taught to view the people around her and the stiuations in which she finds herself will have a much better chance of surviving a domestic abuse situation.

there. this is the thorn in my side that won't quit. i wish my neice were growing up into a world where things like rohypnol didn't exist, and guys with the intent to use it were non-existent.

I agree that is an issue.

But again, it is important we are having these conversations with our daughters and nieces. My 20 year old niece is a HUGE fan of the Twilight series and was clearly much younger when this phenomenon started. She is still capable of critical thinking and understanding the difference between romantic novels and real life.

I understand why anyone would find fault with some of the content of the books. I just don't feel they are somehow damaging to teens in some way.

CarrieMpls said:

XxAxX said:

i agree. communicating is crucial.

here is why i am so obsessed with this subject. without going into a lot of personal background, let me just say that it is a fact that, right here in civilized America, one in four (that was 1 in 4) women will be beaten and/or raped and/or snuffed by her significant other.

BY HER SIGNFICANT OTHER.

this is the biggest meanest elephant that ever hunkered down and sucked the light out of a room. it is a huge problem. we don't have sufficient legislation,nor enforcement of legislation, to be safe even in our own homes.

so let's teach our neices,sisters and daughers to think critically about the men in their lives. to not be passive. to be selective and strong enough in themselves that they do not run blindly into situations that ultimately result in their own demise.

'feminism' is important not just because of the ideal behind it (hey, we're people too!), but also because it is literally a life-saving point of view. a teenage girl who has been taught to view the people around her and the stiuations in which she finds herself will have a much better chance of surviving a domestic abuse situation.

there. this is the thorn in my side that won't quit. i wish my neice were growing up into a world where things like rohypnol didn't exist, and guys with the intent to use it were non-existent.

I agree that is an issue.

But again, it is important we are having these conversations with our daughters and nieces. My 20 year old niece is a HUGE fan of the Twilight series and was clearly much younger when this phenomenon started. She is still capable of critical thinking and understanding the difference between romantic novels and real life.

I understand why anyone would find fault with some of the content of the books. I just don't feel they are somehow damaging to teens in some way.

agree. i think there are far more harmful influences in the world around us...

CarrieMpls said:

XxAxX said:

i agree. communicating is crucial.

here is why i am so obsessed with this subject. without going into a lot of personal background, let me just say that it is a fact that, right here in civilized America, one in four (that was 1 in 4) women will be beaten and/or raped and/or snuffed by her significant other.

BY HER SIGNFICANT OTHER.

this is the biggest meanest elephant that ever hunkered down and sucked the light out of a room. it is a huge problem. we don't have sufficient legislation,nor enforcement of legislation, to be safe even in our own homes.

so let's teach our neices,sisters and daughers to think critically about the men in their lives. to not be passive. to be selective and strong enough in themselves that they do not run blindly into situations that ultimately result in their own demise.

'feminism' is important not just because of the ideal behind it (hey, we're people too!), but also because it is literally a life-saving point of view. a teenage girl who has been taught to view the people around her and the stiuations in which she finds herself will have a much better chance of surviving a domestic abuse situation.

there. this is the thorn in my side that won't quit. i wish my neice were growing up into a world where things like rohypnol didn't exist, and guys with the intent to use it were non-existent.

I agree that is an issue.

But again, it is important we are having these conversations with our daughters and nieces. My 20 year old niece is a HUGE fan of the Twilight series and was clearly much younger when this phenomenon started. She is still capable of critical thinking and understanding the difference between romantic novels and real life.

I understand why anyone would find fault with some of the content of the books. I just don't feel they are somehow damaging to teens in some way.

It did bug me when I watched the first movie with my kids and the scene came on when Bella is in the hospital. She says to Edward something to the effect of, "you can't do that to me. You can't leave me. You're like my heroin." That shit made me shudder, and I definitely had a conversation with the kids about codependent relationships after the movie.

XxAxX said:

Cerebus said:

No.

'No' what? 'No' to the question of whether teen minds are impressionable?

'No' to the entire concept of this thread, which is something you object to so strongly you logged in, and posted on it?

'No" to the sun won't shine today?

'No' to my personal grudge against any form of mechanism which (in my opinion*) perpetuates the mindset that keeps women in danger of their lives in their most intimate relationships?

*See, disclaimer

Actually, you are incorrect. Your thread title very clearly reads, "Is the Twilight series altering teen minds?" And I answered. No. Real life alters teen minds. Books are an escape. If a parent is unable to teach their child something so simple as that then they should have thought a whole hell of a lot harder about having kids.

Cerebus said:

XxAxX said:

'No' what? 'No' to the question of whether teen minds are impressionable?

'No' to the entire concept of this thread, which is something you object to so strongly you logged in, and posted on it?

'No" to the sun won't shine today?

'No' to my personal grudge against any form of mechanism which (in my opinion*) perpetuates the mindset that keeps women in danger of their lives in their most intimate relationships?

*See, disclaimer

Actually, you are incorrect. Your thread title very clearly reads, "Is the Twilight series altering teen minds?" And I answered. No. Real life alters teen minds. Books are an escape. If a parent is unable to teach their child something so simple as that then they should have thought a whole hell of a lot harder about having kids.

thanks for clarifying

If people only read junk they will be full of junky thinking,.