The Nurture Effect
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ISBN: 9781684031801
About the Book
A fascinating look at the evolution of behavioral science, the revolutionary way it's changing the way we live, and how nurturing environments can increase people's well-being in virtually every aspect of our society, from early childhood education to corporate practices. If you want to know how you can help create a better world, read this book.
What if there were a way to prevent criminal behavior, mental illness, drug abuse, poverty, and violence? Written by behavioral scientist Tony Biglan, and based on his ongoing research at the Oregon Research Institute, The Nurture Effect offers evidence-based interventions that can prevent many of the psychological and behavioral problems that plague our society.
For decades, behavioral scientists have investigated the role our environment plays in shaping who we are, and their research shows that we now have the power within our own hands to reduce violence, improve cognitive development in our children, increase levels of education and income, and even prevent future criminal behaviors. By cultivating a positive environment in all aspects of society-from the home, to the classroom, and beyond-we can ensure that young people arrive at adulthood with the skills, interests, assets, and habits needed to live healthy, happy, and productive lives.
The Nurture Effect details over forty years of research in the behavioral sciences, as well as the author's own research. Biglan illustrates how his findings lay the framework for a model of societal change that has the potential to reverberate through all environments within society.
Contributors
Books by Anthony Biglan
Books by Steven C. Hayes
Books by David Sloan Wilson
Praise
-Kelli A. Komro, PhD, professor of health outcomes and policy at the College of Medicine, associate director of the Institute for Child Health Policy, and Research Foundation Professor at the University of Florida
-Cheryl L. Perry, PhD, professor and regional dean at The University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus
-Matthew R. Sanders, PhD, professor of clinical psychology and director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland, as well as founder of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
-Dennis D. Embry, PhD, president and senior scientist at PAXIS Institute
-D.J. Moran, PhD, founder of Pickslyde Consulting and the MidAmerican Psychological Institute
The book contains highly practical, specific recommendations for families, practitioners, and policy makers. Biglan rightly recognizes that to significantly change society for the better, we must address larger social forces-for example, the negative effects of poverty and economic inequality, or of marketing tobacco and alcohol to youth. Eminently readable, this book comprehensively reviews evidence based on a lifetime of experience as a social scientist, and knits it together with a compelling agenda, that if enacted, could lead to a significant, positive transformation of our country.”
-William R. Beardslee, MD, director of the Baer Prevention Initiatives at Boston Children's Hospital, and Gardner-Monks Professor of child psychiatry at Harvard Medical School
-Lisbeth B. Schorr, senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and coauthor of Within Our Reach
-Brian R. Flay, DPhil, professor of social and behavioral health sciences at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, and emeritus distinguished professor of public health and psychology at University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
-Marion S. Forgatch, PhD, senior scientist emerita at the Oregon Social Learning Center (OSLC), where she developed and tested programs for families with children at risk or referred for child adjustment problems and substance abuse
—Jacob S. Hacker, PhD, Stanley B. Resor Professor of political science, director at the Institution for Social and Policy Studies, and coauthor of Winner-Take-All Politics
—Rob Horner, PhD, endowed professor of special education at the University of Oregon
“Tony Biglan's book puts forth a bold and thought-provoking plan to help every community ensure that our young people grow into caring and productive adults. It's well worth reading.”
—Senator Merkley
“Biglan [has crafted] an easy-to-read book about an integrated perspective on raising healthy children and what we need to change in our policies to achieve this goal. He asserts that it is in our collective best interests to reduce conflict and increase cooperation in our society. … Biglan [takes] a total environmental view, which incorporates diet, education, health care resources, and natural conditions. … He [establishes] a bulkhead for the need to create a society-wide goal of increasing the ability of families to nurture children… Kudos to Biglan for daring to write this book, and let’s hope for all of our sakes that policy makers adopt some of the principles.”
—Roberta E. Winter, New York Journal of Books
