Beyond Evolutionary Psychology
How and Why Neuropsychological Modules Arise

This book presents a compelling unifying theory of which aspects of the brain are innate and which are not.

George Ellis (Author), Mark Solms (Author)

9781107661417, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 December 2017

216 pages, 28 b/w illus. 11 colour illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.2 cm, 0.39 kg

'Beyond Evolutionary Psychology is a rich book, jam-packed with impressive detail …' Lachlan Douglas Walmsley, The Quarterly Review of Biology

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.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The mind and the brain
3. Hierarchy, modularity and development
4. Claims of innate modularity
5. The mind and emotions
6. A realistic view of evolution, development and emotions
7. Conclusion
Appendix. Language infinities
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Neurosciences [PSAN], Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology [JMM], Psychology [JM]