Brain and Culture: Neurobiology, Ideology, and Social Change (A Bradford Book)

📘 Book Details

• Author: Bruce E. Wexler

• Publisher: MIT Press

• Language: English

• Edition: Reprint

• ISBN: 9780262731935

• Pages: 320

• Cover: Paperback

• Release Date: 29-08-2008

📝 About The Book

"Brain and Culture" by Bruce E. Wexler offers a groundbreaking exploration into the intricate relationship between the brain's neurobiological development and the environment. Drawing from recent neurobiological research and major experimental findings in cognitive and developmental psychology, this book delves into the critical period of sensory stimulation required for the brain's growth, shaping its neuronal networks for thought and behavior.

Wexler examines how the brain's plasticity diminishes by early adulthood, fundamentally altering the way individuals relate to their environments. During early life, the brain adapts to environmental stimuli, but as we grow older, we begin to shape the environment to fit our established mental structures. This shift is critical in understanding social phenomena such as culture, identity, and even interethnic violence.

In "Brain and Culture", Wexler explores several real-world challenges individuals face in adulthood when the environment evolves beyond their ability to adapt. Drawing from diverse disciplines—such as psychoanalysis, literature, anthropology, history, and politics—he integrates a rich body of knowledge to show how cultural shifts and changes influence our neurobiological makeup. He particularly highlights the challenges faced by immigrants, how younger generations often adapt more quickly than older ones, and the neurological underpinnings of intercultural conflict.

With its insightful perspectives on the neurobiological roots of cultural adaptation and intergroup dynamics, this book provides readers with a deeper understanding of how culture shapes the brain and vice versa, making it a valuable resource for those interested in psychology, neuroscience, and the social sciences.