The physics of internal transport barrier (ITB) formation in JET has been investigated using micro-stability analysis, profile modelling and turbulence simulations. The calculation of linear growth rates shows that magnetic shear plays a crucial role in the formation of the ITB. Shafranov shift, ratio of the ion to electron temperature, and impurity content further improve the stability. This picture is consistent with profile modelling and global fluid simulations of electrostatic drift waves. Turbulence simulations also show that rational q values may play a special role in triggering an ITB. The same physics also explains how double internal barriers can be formed.