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Nativism versus neuroconstructivism: rethinking the study of developmental disorders.
1Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. a.karmiloff-smith@bbk.ac.uk
Developmental Psychology
|February 13, 2009
Summary
This study proposes a dynamic, neuroconstructivist approach to understanding human brain development, challenging the idea of innate, static modules. It emphasizes the multidirectional interactions between genes, brain, cognition, and environment over time.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Genetics
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Dominant views in psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy posit innate, dissociated modules in the brain.
- Genetic disorders are often interpreted as evidence for these innate, specialized brain modules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the modular view of the brain and propose a dynamic, neuroconstructivist alternative.
- To re-evaluate assumptions about how genetic disorders inform our understanding of brain specification.
- To explore the implications of a process-based view of human intelligence.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and critique of existing theories in psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy.
- Examination of questions related to domain-specific scores, normal ranges, mental-age matching, and the concept of intact modules.
- Discussion of developmental disorders and environmental influences on atypical development.
Main Results:
- The notion of static, innate modules is challenged as unlikely.
- Developmental disorders may indicate associations rather than dissociations.
- The environment's role in atypical development is questioned.
- Scores in specific domains do not necessarily indicate intact modules.
Conclusions:
- Human intelligence is best understood as a developmental process, not a static state of modules.
- A dynamic, neuroconstructivist approach, emphasizing multidirectional interactions, offers a more accurate framework.
- Genes, brain, cognition, behavior, and environment dynamically interact to shape intelligence over time.
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