Inventing Ourselves: The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain

(Paperback)

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Winner of the 2020 British Psychological Society Popular Science Prize and the 2018 Royal Society Science Book Prize. Up to the minute brain science from a world class scientist. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore explains how the adolescent brain transforms as it develops and shapes the adults we become. Winner of the 2020 British Psychological Society Popular Science Prize Winner of the 2018 Royal Society Science Book Prize. ........................................................................................ Up to the minute brain science from a world class scientist. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore explains how the adolescent brain transforms as it develops and shapes the adults we become. 'Beautifully written with clarity, expertise and honesty about the most important subject for all of us. I couldn't put it down.' - Professor Robert Winston Drawing upon her cutting-edge research Professor Blakemore explores- What makes the adolescent brain different Why does an easy child become a challenging teenager What drives the excessive risk-taking and the need for intense friendships common to teenagers Why it is that many mental illnesses - depression, addiction, schizophrenia - begin during these formative years. And she shows that while adolescence is a period of vulnerability, it is also a time of enormous creativity and opportunity.

Reviews

The best science writing helps us to look at ourselves and our world in new ways, and does this by combining compelling storytelling with scientific depth and detail. This book not only has all of these qualities, but also has something to offer every reader - whether you are a teenager, parent of a teenager, or just interested in understanding your former teenage self. -- Professor Brian Cox
Completely captivating ... Blakemore explains the science behind teenage behaviour in a lucid and engaging way, deconstructs the myths that surround it, offers new insight into how we should treat teenagers, and reflects on how our new knowledge might usefully influence policy decisions. This is truly a book that everyone should read. -- Professor Dame Frances Ashcroft, chair of Royal Society Prize judges and professor of physiology at Oxford
Absolutely fascinating -- Louise Minchin * BBC Breakfast *
An engaging and interesting book, written comprehensibly for a non-specialist audience. You will understand your children and your former selves better for reading it and you will bust a few myths as you go. * The Times *
There are few people more qualified to explain [adolescence] than the author of this compelling book. What I enjoyed most about this book was the readability and personal style of the narrative. Blakemore manages to present a highly accessible account of the science, without ever compromising on detail or depththere is almost a sense that the reader is in the lab, listening in on the discussions and taking part in the decisions.This book has something to offer everyone Blakemore provides a unique and very up-to-date insight into the changes that occur during this intriguing period. -- Dr Catherine Loveday * The Psychologist *
Refreshingly and reassuringly light and lucid in both tone and approach ...an enjoyable, accessible, and insightful book by an author at the top of her field. * The Lancet *
A very readable book bringing together the up-to-date research about how the adolescent brain develops. This matters to both adolescents and parents but also should be read by everyone who looks after adolescents, be they teachers, doctors or psychologists. -- Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health

Inventing Ourselves is a gripping celebration of the teenage brain. Essential reading for parents, teachers and teens.
Sane, wise, myth busting, this book is a triumph and should be read by every parent and teacher but they should be warned. Theyll have to fight their teenagers to get this gripping book out of their hands.

-- Dr Vivienne Parry OBE
The teenage brain is different, but in what way This beautifully written book tells just how it influences and is influenced by the new challenging demands of a transformational phase of life. There is no sensationalism here. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore is a pioneer in the field and provides a meticulous account of what we know. -- Professors Uta & Chris Frith

Inventing Ourselves is an accessible introduction both
to neuroscience and experimental psychology, covering
basic research techniques while providing an overview of
recent studies of adolescence that will be of interest even
to someone familiar with these fields. This balance is in
large part due to the authors ability to explain nuanced
experiments with an infectious enthusiasm that engages
the readers curiosity. Blakemore approaches the topic with
a sympathy and respect for the adolescents she works with
that is genuinely admirable. For anyone looking back on
their teenage years, trying to raise a teenager, or working
with adolescents, this book can help foster understanding
about why adolescents act the way they do and how we
become our adult selves.

-- Robert Stirrups * Lancet Neurology *

Author Bio

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore is Professor in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. She has published over 180 papers in scientific journals, and won multiple major awards for her research, including the British Psychological Society Spearman Medal 2006, the Turin Young Mind & Brain Prize 2013, the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award 2013 and the Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize 2015. She was named in The Times Young Female Power List 2014 and was one of only four scientists on the Sunday Times 100 Makers of the 21st Century 2014. She is a Fellow of the British Academy. Professor Blakemore has two sons and lives in Hertfordshire. Inventing Ourselves is her first solo book and is the winner of the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2018.