BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

The Big Idea

Documentaries

Factual

A big idea that shapes how we understand our place in the world - from the idea’s creator.

What are the big ideas shaping our world?  This new series from the BBC World Service picks the best ideas from economics to psychology, neuroscience to philosophy, political science to anthropology, and makes them easy to digest.

Each episode of "The Big Idea" outlines the important idea through the words of the person who’s developed the theory. In just nine minutes we offer a weekly chance to listen and feel just a little bit wiser.

The Big Idea: The teenage brain

The Teenage Brain

11/08/2018 GMT

The teenage brain

BBC World Service - The Big Idea, The teenage brain

Why can’t teenagers get out of bed in the morning?

Why do some teenagers drive fast? Why do many teenagers find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning? A leading neuroscientist has some surprising answers…

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, author of Inventing Ourselves: The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain, 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 and teenager, Credit: Shutterstock)

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Big Idea

The teenage brain

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service