Why Teens Tune Out: The Science Behind Selective Hearing - Neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski speaks to host Andy Park on ABC RN Drive

This episode explores the intriguing phenomenon of selective hearing in teenagers, particularly focusing on why they may not respond to their mother's voice. Neuroscientist Dr Lila Landowski discusses research from Stanford University that examines brain activity in children and teenagers when listening to their mother's voice versus unfamiliar voices. The findings reveal significant differences in brain responses pre- and post-puberty, suggesting evolutionary reasons for these changes.

teenagers, selective hearing, neuroscience, brain activity, puberty, evolutionary psychology

• Teenagers often exhibit selective hearing, especially towards their mother's voice.
• Research from Stanford University used MRI to study brain activity in children and teenagers.
• Pre-puberty children show increased brain activity in reward and social value areas when hearing their mother's voice.
• Teenagers' brains respond more to unfamiliar voices than to their mother's voice.
• The use of made-up words in the study helps isolate the brain's response to voice rather than word meaning.
• The age of 13 is critical for changes in brain response to familiar versus unfamiliar voices.
• Evolutionary psychology suggests this change aids in independence and social learning.
• Hormonal changes during puberty contribute to shifts in brain activity and behavior.
• The desire to distance from parents during puberty is linked to survival and reproduction instincts.
• Caveman behavior parallels modern teenage behavior in terms of communication and social dynamics.