Name: The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain
Uploaded: 2012-09-17T15:01:26Z
Duration: 14 min 9 s
Description: Why do teenagers seem so much more impulsive, so much less self-aware than grown-ups? Cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typically "teenage" behavior is caused by the growing and developing brain.

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Why do teenagers seem so much more impulsive, so much less self-aware than grown-ups? Cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typically "teenage" behavior is caused by the growing and developing brain.

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore: The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain

The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain

Adolescence brains are still under construction, particularly in areas responsible for decision-making and social interactions.

Contrary to common belief, brain development continues into the '20s and '30s, debunking myths of its completion in early childhood.

Synaptic pruning in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence shapes our brain, honing it according to our experiences and environment.