Beyond evolutionary psychology : how and why neuropsychological modules arise / George Ellis, Mark Solms, Mark Solms.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ellis, George F. R. (George Francis Rayner)

Contributor:

Solms, Mark.

Series:

Culture and psychology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Evolutionary psychology.

Neuropsychology.

Physical Description:

xi, 205 pages : illustrations (some colored) ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press, 2018.

Summary:

The nature/nurture question is an age-old problem. 'Beyond Evolutionary Psychology' deals with the relation between culture, evolution, psychology and emotion, based both in the underlying biology, determined by our evolutionary heritage, and in the interaction of our brain with the physical, ecological and social environment, based in the key property of brain plasticity. Ellis and Solms show how the brain structures that underlie cognition and behaviour relate to each other through developmental processes guided by primary emotional systems. This makes very clear which brain modules are innate or 'hard-wired', and which are 'soft-wired' or determined through environmental interactions. The key finding is that there can be no innate cognitive modules in the neocortex, as this is not possible on both developmental and genetic grounds; in particular there can be no innate language acquisition device. This is essential reading for students and scholars of evolutionary psychology and evolutionary biology.

Contents:

The mind and the brain

Hierarchy, modularity, and development

Claims of innate modularity

The mind and emotions

A realistic view of evolution, development, and emotions.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 178-194) and index.

ISBN:

9781107053687

1107053684

9781107661417

1107661412

OCLC:

989045523