The Biologizing of Cognition, Development, and Education: Approach with Cautious Enthusiasm

Authors: Brown R.D.¹; Bjorklund D.F.²

Source: Educational Psychology Review, Volume 10, Number 3, September 1998 , pp. 355-373(19)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

In our commentary, we propose the current research from the field of developmental neuroscience can be incorporated within the theoretical perspectives advocated by evolutionary psychologists and advocates of the developmental systems approach. We then describe research on memory and the relationship between spatial-temporal reasoning and mathematical abilities as examples of literatures that have benefitted from the neuroscience approach. We conclude by expressing enthusiasm for the recent neuroscience findings, but caution that developmental neuroscience's focus on infancy and preschool children should not result in an overemphasis on early development and education at the expense of later development and education.

Keywords: cognitive neuroscience; spatial-temporal reasoning; mathematical abilities; memory

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431. RDOU6155@fau.edu 2: Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Publication date: 1998-09-01