10 - Applications of Neuroscience Flashcards
Neuroeducation
Applying the knowledge of neuroscience to education via:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pedagogy (teaching)
What neuroscience offers to neuroeducation
- optimising memory
- brain development
- emotion and learning
- learning strategies
- discipline-specific techniques
- brain-care
Challenges in Neuroeducation
Type of science - neuroscience is a natural science > based on observations of natural happenings - education is an artificial science > it's a creation
Scale of investigation
- neuroscience goes down to the genetic level
- education scales on class size, never in isolation
Solutions:
- extrapolate as little as possible
- joint research projects
- use a shared language (shared ideas)
Success of Neuroeducation
- gained a better understanding of nature vs nurture
> so teachers don’t assume and limit student potential - better understanding of the role of plasticity
> the more we practice, the greater the physical changes in the brain - better understanding of the role of the role of visualisation
> mental practice is also powerful, like physical practice - diversifying research design
> i.e. RCT in education
+ individuals that are taught about the brain are more likely to view their own intelligence as changeable
Failures of Neuroeducation
Unfounded ideas
- explicit fraud
- distortion of evidence by wishful thinking
- sound evidence that is easy to ignore (for alternative reasons)
- absence of sound evidence
Hydration:
- mild dehydration can decrease cognitive ability but drinking when not thirsty also does
Neuroscience and the law
Genetic prediction
- antisocial / aggressive behaviours have been found to be about 40-60% heritable
> but contributions by any single gene is small
- genetics alone does not predict behaviour, but genetics plus exposure to certain occurrences is predictive
Transmitters and brain structure
- low cortisol in children is associated with aggressive behaviour
- variations in amygdala activity are associated with aggression
Health and social prediction
- combination factors
Prevention
- SSRIs or antipsychotics to control behaviour
- chemical castration for sex-offences?
- changes in diet or supplements
Challenges with law and neuroscience
Causality
- does not establish whether the factor is contributing or causing
Punishment
- determining guilt
> jury
> polygraph / EEG / fMRI
+ reverse inference is an issue here (the findings aren’t definitive)
+ timing (brain activity during the crime vs brain activity during the scan)
- determining responsibility
> age of criminal responsibility
> intellectual ability
> mental health problems
