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Does Poverty Change The Way We Think?

Investigating the scientific claims that being poor affects how our brains work.

Does the experience of poverty actually take a physical toll on your brain? The Inquiry investigates the scientific claims that being poor affects how our brains work.

It's well known that children from poorer backgrounds do worse at school. And adults who are poor are often criticised for making bad life decisions - ones that don't help them in the long-term.

Some say the problems are rooted in the unfair way our society functions. Others argue it's simple genetics. But a growing body of research suggests that something else may be going on too.

The Inquiry assesses the evidence and asks: does poverty change the way we think?

Presenter: Ruth Alexander
Producers: Simon Maybin and Phoebe Keane

(Photo: Concept of human intelligence with human brain on blue background. Credit: Shutterstock)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 29 May 2017 03:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 25 May 2017 01:06GMT
  • Thu 25 May 2017 06:06GMT
  • Thu 25 May 2017 07:06GMT
  • Thu 25 May 2017 13:06GMT
  • Thu 25 May 2017 14:06GMT
  • Thu 25 May 2017 19:06GMT
  • Sat 27 May 2017 23:06GMT
  • Mon 29 May 2017 03:06GMT

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