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

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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[HiThereImNat]

I'm almost 14 years old. I've only dealt with teenagers just like me being demonized for crap we can't physically or mentally control. Its refreshing to finally see someone understand how we feel and take the scientific side and acknowledge it's not really completely our fault we act this way.

[harshie]

I feel like it is easy to hate in the absence of information. This was an extremely educational talk for me and it helps me understand myself and others around me.

[JAYDUBYAH]

her use of language is breath-takingly precise.

[guap]

whos here from your ed psych class lol

[celestial_kitten]

I feel better after watching this. I wish there were TEDs like this, which take in not only the scientific but also the emotional side of things.

[andromedalasso]

I am so glad that she provided the Shakespeare quotes. Lately, I've been hearing more and more about the teenage/adolescent years being a recent/made up western concept. Though our society does seem to devalue what teenagers are capable of, there is now proof that some very specific developments are happening during that time in life. It's a real stage that requires unique guidance & attention. Excellent talk.

[bobjones]

2023 and this short video is an excellent resource for all adults. Adults, please offer teens and young adults compassion instead of ridicule, understanding instead of harsh criticism, guidance instead annoyance. Simply put; a farmer doesn't stomp and injure the crop that he's trying to grow and then wonder why the crop isn't growing or responding properly..but adults do just that to young children and teens daily

[Rheagan]

I was required to watch this video as part of my training to become a foster parent. It was really interesting and quite entertaining. Thank you!!

[FriedSynapse]

It's heightened self awareness. If we understand that kids are going through this period and what is happening to them, we can tap into their self consciousness and help them learn more about what it is that is happening to them and prevent misunderstandings that typically lead them to all the crazy behavior. This is when they want to know and experience more than ever. The heightened activity must be harnessed for good or it will entrench negative behaviors.

[natalieeuley]

Thank you so much for this. There's so much out there on childhood brain development but finding stuff on adolescent development is surprisingly much harder. It's always surface level stuff that just raises more questions than it answers

[celticphrog]

This video explains the nature of a great many Youtube commenters. According to her definition, most people here don't seem to have left adolescence.

[lenaysisto]

Excellent, informative for teachers like myself. Thank you.

[roos]

i'm 50 and i feel like i am a teenager again with just one glimpse of her! what a crush out of the blue!

[Ambiance]

In order to establish a healthy and enriching environment for the developing adolescent brain, perhaps the implementation of awareness-based classes or workshops may assist all those whom interact with adolescents. There are several approaches one can put into use with respect to such a natural occurrence of human behavior, however, the gradual development of a human being's social (and individual) connectivity takes time - maturation is a process which requires effort and constant attention. Thus, adolescents will continue to express their typical behavior but it can be in more moderate and tolerant ways. Simply, culture and its many systems (i.e. educational, athletic) may need to emphasize the importance of having adolescents (or even children, if possible) train their malleable brains to build a more intimate relationship with self-awareness, whether through meditation or other mindfulness-based exercises.

[michellechen]

Everyone should read Blakemore's Inventing That's very amazing! I am currently in my late adolescence and her book reveals a lot of mysteries about adolescence to me!

[geraldbarutha]

she is great brilliant.  Opened my eyes.

[alphacause]

Blakemore's lecture reminds me of Ken Robinson's speech at TED, on the need to restructure our education system around creativity, as much as we emphasis math, science and language. While Dr. Robinson provides the social and economic basis for why this must be done, Dr. Blakemore provides the scientific basis of why the adolescent brain thrives particularly well in an environment which fosters creativity. For those who haven't seen Robinson's popular lecture on TED:

watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

[kyraocity]

5:30 Prefrontal cortex of adolescent brain
11:50 - 14:10 risk taking; removing the stigma of teenage development

[sarahstockton]

Can someone help me connect her ideas? Like how gray matter declines during adolescence, and how good people are at reading social expressions and interactions and then her behavioral studies. What do you think the main point that she is trying to get at with these?

[frussell]

Ms Blakemore's presentation is excellent. She is one of the most articulate and clear speakers. She explained this complex subject in such interesting and dynamic language.
And such beautiful and expressionate eyes.