The Social Construction of Mental Illness and Its Implications for Neuroplasticity by Walker Michael T.;

Author:Walker, Michael T.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: undefined
Publisher: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Published: 2012-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Constructivism versus Realism

This postmodern/complexity neuroscience perspective is consistent with both the constructivists (truth as interpretation; language as creational) and realists (truth as correspondence with the physical world; language as representational) camps of philosophy. With better observational tools—positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), etc.—we’ve discovered the physical “reality” of the brain is different than what we previously thought. We have to consider the human brain as a whole, in its relational context, and in the context of its adaptive capabilities; that is, from the perspective of complexity (versus reductive) neuroscience. Neuroplasticity is a model of the brain that better corresponds with nature (physical reality), has better explanatory power, and, as we will see, produces far better results.

On the other hand, the more realistic picture of the brain given to us by complexity neuroscience has helped explain how our realities are socially constructed. Our higher-level brain functions can network words and symbols in such a way as to produce different realities. The significance of subjectivity was rediscovered with the tools of objectivity. The question is no longer about the reality of neuroplasticity, but how best to bring it about. When it comes to psychotherapy, I believe the best answer to date is intersubjectivity and redescription.

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