Brain in macro experiential context: biocultural co-construction of lifespan neurocognitive development

Research output: Contribution to book/conference proceedings/anthology/reportChapter in book/anthology/reportContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • S.-C. Li - , Max Planck Institute for Human Development (Author)

Abstract

For more than a century, neuroscientists have recognized that the brain is an open, adaptive system and that the organism's experiences are environmentally contextualized. However, the proposition that socio-cultural contexts may exert reciprocal influences on neurobiological mechanisms is rarely considered and could not be empirically explored until very recently. This article reviews the emerging trend of interdisciplinary research aiming at exploring the effects of socio-cultural influences on human brain functioning. Recent co-constructive views of brain development and functioning and empirical evidence of developmental plasticity at different levels are reviewed. Empirical findings that are indicative of reciprocal influences of social contexts, culture-specific language environment, and expertise training are highlighted. The quest to understand how individual brains get personalized through lifespan development that takes place in the macro socio-cultural experiential context is still at an embryonic stage. Nevertheless, studies reviewed here indicate that new conceptual and empirical opportunities for this endeavor are emerging.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCultural Neuroscience: Cultural Influences on Brain Function
EditorsJoan Y. Chiao
Pages17-29
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

SeriesProgress in brain research
Volume178
ISSN0079-6123

External IDs

Scopus 71149121515

Keywords