Episode description

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)