The New Phrenology
The Limits of Localizing Cognitive Processes in the Brain
Overview
William Uttal is concerned that in an effort to
prove itself a hard science, psychology may have thrown away one of its
most important methodological tools—a critical analysis of the
fundamental assumptions that underlie day-to-day empirical research. In
this book Uttal addresses the question of localization: whether
psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that
permits them to be associated with particular brain regions.
New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a "neo-phrenological" fad.
New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a "neo-phrenological" fad.
About the Author
William R. Uttal is Professor Emeritus (Engineering) at Arizona
State University and Professor Emeritus (Psychology) at the University
of Michigan. He is the author of many books, including The New Phrenology: On the Localization of Cognitive Processes in the Brain (MIT Press).
Reviews
"This is an exciting book....", Vanja Kljajevic, Metapsychology
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