RELECTIONS ON CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 26
 
Description: This was a very brief chapter entitled
“Nature and Nurture: the Brain and Its Environment”. The
authors discuss the importance of neurophysiological
research as it is understood from the social and
behavioral scientific point of view. Within this
discussion, they present additional, current data on
brain research and its effect on the classic debate 
nature v. nurture. The article ends by reminding us that
nurturing indeed is responsible for how humans learn
their culture and learn to survive. Unfortunately, the
richness of a child’s environment enhances what one
learns and all environments are not equal. 
 
Theme: The central theme of this article is both
biological and anthropological in nature. It asserts
that the human brain, its structure and function is what
sets us a part from other species. It is what gives us
our “humanness” and enables us to learn and share our
culture.
 
Author’s Perspective: The authors inform us that brain
research has shown that intelligence is not fixed at
birth but depending on one’s environment (cultural),
human beings have the capacity to learn at any age and
continue to learn into old age. In addition,
intelligence can change depending on one’s experiences
through life.
 
Agree or Disagree: I agree. I know I have gotten smarter
and my brother has lost some of his intelligence. (
Don’t tell him I said this). He had a very high I.Q.
but hated school and reading and dropped out of high
school and has not had much of a rich, cultural
environment. His environment has after 30 years finally
become a bit richer with his new girlfriend having a
bachelor’s degree and reading voraciously.
 
Enhance Understanding of Education: This article though
brief, is abundant with information on brain research as
it relates to intelligence, enculturation and the need
to provide a rich learning environment for children and
adults. It appears that life is an ongoing learning
experience.
 
Recommendation: I highly recommend this article to
anyone who still thinks that one’s IQ is a true measure
of intelligence and has been scarred by it.