M2 Discussion: Reflection on Preconceived Thoughts

Introduction

As we learn about the influence of preconceived thoughts on behavior and perception, it becomes clear that ingrained ideas can significantly shape how people interact with the world around them.

Instructions

Prompt

Based on the reading, reflect on how you had to challenge your own preconceived notions of various cultures. What in the readings made you uncomfortable? At this point, with which points did you agree, and with which did you disagree? Why?

Your post must be clear and include what the preconceived notion is and specifically, to what culture. Also note if it is a preconceived notion related to language, dress, hairstyles, etc.

Reply

You are required to respond to at least 2 peer posts.

Please make sure that you are always sensitive to others perspectives, even if they differ from yours. Your replies should continue and enhance the conversation. Have you had a similar experience with this person? Or can you see this topic from a different angle?

Formatting

Your initial post should be at least 250 words long.
Each of your two required responses to peer posts should be at least 100 words long.

M2 Required Reading

This is Your Brain on Culture

Wexler, Bruce E. (2006). Brain and Culture: Neurobiology, Ideology, and Social Change

The author, Bruce E. Wexler, examines how our mind and brain works from birth to adulthood. In the assigned chapters, you will learn that individuals develop internal neurocognitive structures that are consonant with their own culture, the appearance in their environment of individuals from a foreign culture, thinking and acting differently, creates an uncomfortable dissonance between internal and external realities.
- Chapter 1: Some Basic Facts about the Human Brain
- Chapter 3: Effects on the Social Environment on Brain Structure and Function
- Chapter 5: The Meeting of Cultures
Bruce E. Wexler. (2006). Brain and Culture: . Bradford Books.

Journal Article

In these journal articles, you will be introduced to the model of Cumulative Cultural Brain Hypothesis, a theory of brain evolution across species.

Culture Wires the Brain: A Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective

Park, D. C., & Huang, C.-M. (2010). . Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 391400.

The Cultural Brain Hypothesis: How Culture Drives Brain Expansion, Sociality, and Life History

Muthukrishna, M., Doebeli, M., Chudek, M., Henrich, J., & Tarnita, C. E. (2018). . PLOS Computational Biology, 14(11).

Requirements: as needed

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M2 Discussion: Reflection on Preconceived Thoughts