Renowned Psychologist Dr. Jean Twenge Unravels iGen Insights at Academy of the Holy Names

Dr. Jean M. Twenge, well known in the field of psychology and for her extensive research on generational differences and technology, brought her expertise to the Academy of the Holy Names on November 7 and 8, 2023. The event, titled "iGen: Understanding the Connected Generation," witnessed an engaging series of sessions addressing various audiences of the Academy community.

The Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, Dr. Twenge, is a prolific author with over 180 scientific publications and books to her name. Her work is based on an extensive dataset encompassing 39 million individuals, making her a leading authority on generational disparities and their relationship with technology.

The sessions held at the Academy of the Holy Names were tailored to distinct audience groups. Dr. Twenge interacted first with parents on Tuesday night, followed by middle school and high school students, as well as faculty and staff on Wednesday. Her presentations were characterized by insightful analysis, bridging the gap between different generations and their engagement with technology in today's digital age.

Her research has garnered attention from leading publications such as Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, and The Washington Post. Additionally, her insights have been featured on major media outlets like Today, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Fox and Friends, NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and National Public Radio.

The event at the Academy of the Holy Names has not only enlightened the school community but has also sparked a greater conversation about the impact of technology on today's youth and how to navigate these influences positively.

One parent of a high school and middle school student commented: “The problem is real. My daughter is developmentally at 15, where I was at 12. They don’t want to interact with the world the way that our generation did.  It was comforting to know it is not just my child. I appreciated Jean’s concrete suggestions for how to cope in our brave new world.”

Dr. Twenge's powerful message and expertise serve as a guiding light in understanding and navigating the intricacies of the modern, tech-centric generation. For more information about Dr. Jean M. Twenge and her research, please visit her website. For media inquiries or further details regarding the event at the Academy of the Holy Names, please contact High School Principal Jeane McNamara.

“Thanks to the generosity of the AHN Dad’s Club to support our strategic initiative of widening opportunities for parent and student engagement, bringing Dr. Jean Twenge to AHN could not have come at a more opportune moment.  Our ability to present the research of an internationally renowned speaker like Jean Twenge sets AHN as a thought leader in the all-girls space for recognizing the balance between our girls’ academic, spiritual, social, and emotional development.”  We look to continue and grow our speakers’ series opportunities.” – Jeane McNamara, High School Principal

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsements of the Academy of the Holy Names or Dr. Jean M. Twenge.

Books by Dr. Jean M. Twenge:

• Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents and What they Mean for America’s Future

• iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy–and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood

• Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled — and More Miserable Than Ever Before

• The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement (co-authored with W. Keith Campbell)

• The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant

• Personality Psychology: Understanding Yourself and Others (co-authored with W. Keith Campbell)

• Social Psychology (co-authored with David G. Myers)