Development of the social brain in adolescence

13/04/2022 at 02:04:57

Cognitive Neuroscience CNS 2022

The Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) is committed to the development of mind and brain research aimed at investigating the psychological, computational, and neuroscientific bases of cognition.

The term cognitive neuroscience has now been with us for almost three decades, and identifies an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the nature of thought.

Development of the social brain in adolescence
Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
Cambridge University
Abstract: Adolescence is a critical period of development characterised by an increased need for peer interaction, heightened sensitivity to social exclusion and development of the social brain. Lockdown and social distancing measures intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have reduced the opportunity to engage in face-to-face social interaction with peers. In this talk, I will describe research on social brain and behavioural development in adolescence and consider whether social distancing might be having a disproportionate effect during this sensitive period of development.

About

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore is Professor of Psychology at the University of Cambridge, UK, and leader of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Group. Her group's research focuses on the development of social cognition and decision making in the human adolescent brain, and adolescent mental health. Her group runs behavioural studies in schools and in the lab, as well as neuroimaging studies, with adolescents and adults. You can read more about the group and their research here.