This blog reports new ideas and work on mind, brain, behavior, psychology, and politics - as well as random curious stuff. (Try the Dynamic Views at top of right column.)
Sunday, March 05, 2006
No Two Alike - Why do even identical twins have different personalities?
No Two Alike: Human Nature and Human Individuality by Judith Rich Harris (Hardcover, W.W.Norton, 2006) ..... Harris argues that three brain systems contribute to making each individual unique: a socialization system figures out how to conform to (mirror) your group. A relationship system figures out how to get along with each different person. A status system figures out how to compete. These adaptable and plastic mental systems we all share also make each of us uniquely different from each other. They generate different behaviors in different contexts (home, school, work, etc.) in which our relationships and status are different.
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I have been reading Ms. Harris's writings recently and I found this post of yours while searching in Google. As a matter of fact I'm also a frequent reader of your weblog. As you mentioned in this post,Ms Harris has proposed that we have 3 mental systems.Now my question from you is: Is there any neurological evidence that these systems really exist? I mean, in your opinion, does this kind of classification make sense in neurological terms?
ReplyDeleteI am not expert on this, but I'm not aware of any neurological evidence - brain imaging, or brain lesions that compromise just one of the systems for example - that distinguishes these systems in terms of brain location.
ReplyDeleteI see. Thanks for your reply.
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