The Big Idea
The Big Idea
BBC World Service
The Teenage Brain
10 minutes Posted Aug 11, 2018 at 6:00 pm.
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Show notes

Teenagers are an alien species. Well, that’s not exactly the conclusion of Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s research, but it’s a crude summary. Professor Blakemore is a leading neuroscientist who studies the teenage brain. When humans enter adolescence their brains, as well as their bodies, go through a period of transformation. And, during this period their behaviour alters. They become more risk-taking for example, and more acutely conscious of how they’re perceived by others. Professor Blakemore even has an explanation for why they can’t get out of bed.

Presenter David Edmonds

Producer Ben Cooper

(Image: Parent with Teenager, Credit: Shutterstock)