A study conducted by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang and her team at USC’s CANDLE center explores how “transcendent thinking” among teens can mitigate the adverse effects of violence exposure on brain development. Teens who engage in transcendent thinking move beyond immediate reactions to social situations and consider broader ethical, personal, and societal implications of issues like violence. This type of thinking is crucial in fostering resilience. Also, the research found that reflective thinking about social issues promotes brain growth, particularly in areas of the brain that are typically affected by exposure to violence. This includes regions involved in stress response, emotional processing, and decision-making.
