Domain-specific Mental modules and models for behavior
On Sun, 9/9/12, clarence sonny williams wrote: “There are distinct and independently-operating anatomical regions in the brain that are integrated (sometimes tightly and other times more loosely), such as the visual system, etc.”
My comment: There are no distinct and independently-operating anatomical regions in the brain.ย There are separate visual pathways projecting from each of ~ 20 anatomically distinct classes of the ganglion cell, and the retina contains ~ 80 different cell populations. That’s why researchers argue that the linear pathway model of cortical visual processing is fundamentally unsound.ย Instead, it should be clear that only a multidimensional view can resolve the issues created by attempts to pigeon-hole development of species-specific behaviors into any framework that involves domain-specific modules that have neither been identified, nor even accurately conceptualized in the context of established neuroscientific facts, which currently provide the framework for future investigations (e.g., across species).
Many of these investigations might already be complete if not for the amateur evolutionary theorists, like Williams, and the ethologists who attempt to discuss sensory cause and effect as if a direct epigenetic link to genetic predisposition and behavioral affect was not an absolute requirement. Inventing domain-specific modules, for example, is merely a means to clearly state that theorist/inventors do not understand the basic principles of biology and levels of biological organization that enable adaptive evolution via ecological, social, neurogenic, and socio-cognitive niche construction.
Positing that avian species are primarily audio-visual before examining their olfactory acuity and specificity in the context of adaptive evolution is another sure-fire way to lead others astray. This does not mean that ethologists should question evolutionary theorists about domain-specific modules, however. It means that an interdisciplinary approach must be adopted at the same time past biases are abandoned.
That interdisciplinary approach has already been adopted by most neuroscientists who currently are not even involving themselves in discussion of theories about behavioral development due to different sensory modalities, since it is widely known that the brain integrates sensory input via classically conditioned effects of olfactory/pheromonal input on genes in cells of hormone-secreting tissue impacted by ~10,000 neurons in 26 different brain areas, and that same hormone-secreting brain tissue transmits signals to ~ 30,000 or more neurons in 34 brain areas.
What then can be said about operant conditioning (“animal training”) involving pain receptors, and claims that avian species are primarily visual creatures, or that any animal has an evolved domain-specific module?ย Nothing!
Additional comments:
What makes the “modular concept” useless is that there is no evidence for the evolution of domain specific modules.
Neuroscientists are not simply calling domain-specific modules something else, they’re using terms like “layered,” “the triune brain,” or a “nested hierarchy” to indicate interconnectivity because there is no evidence for evolved domain specific modules in any species.
The visual system does not exist in microbial species, so if microbes were involved in our evolution, there is a question of why and when integration of the visual system occurred.
There are people who claim ongoing dispute when no dispute exists.
The data in the 30 publications from ENCODE (last week) should lead all but the most ignorant to dismiss concepts like domain specific modules. See also:ย Evolution Did Not Snap the Brain Together like LEGOS By Gary Stixย | August 29, 2012 |
Want more on the same topic?
Swipe/Drag Left and Right To Browse Related Posts:
MicroRNAs biophysically constrain Virus-driven pathology (4)
3 MIN READ
0
MicroRNAs on Veteran’s Day 2019
< 1 MIN READ
0
Ecological Adaptations vs the Randomness of Evolution (2)
3 MIN READ
0
A mental health problem at the highest level (2)
3 MIN READ
0
Enzyme-constrained interethnic biodiversity (3)
3 MIN READ
0
Science vs Secularism: Molecular Mechanisms or Math?
6 MIN READ
0
Theorists sell hidden energy (2)
4 MIN READ
0
Evolved patterns of brain stimulation
3 MIN READ
0
Hypothesis free pseudoscience vs facts (5)
6 MIN READ
0
Cracking the Olfactory Code?
5 MIN READ
0
Modelling life scientifically: RNA-mediated events
12 MIN READ
0
Energy-dependent RNA methylation (7)
7 MIN READ
0
Virus-driven energy theft: definition?
5 MIN READ
0
The tipping point? 50, 000 publications
4 MIN READ
0
Neuroscience Virtual Event vs AAAS Symposium
3 MIN READ
0
Cytogenetic approaches link biosystems to ecosystems
3 MIN READ
0
Eugene V. Daev: Chronology
10 MIN READ
0
NORAD: air defense and defense against genomic entropy
7 MIN READ
0
Researchers rename, reshuffle, and reveal their ignorance
3 MIN READ
0
Becoming biologically informed
2 MIN READ
0
The RNA-mediated sum of our parts
2 MIN READ
0
microRNAs and memory: Why trust a theory?
2 MIN READ
0
RNA-mediated cell type differentiation: Honeybee
< 1 MIN READ
0
Hypotheses and mathematical philosophy
3 MIN READ
0
Uniquely epigenomic gene regulation
2 MIN READ
0
Physicians who practice evolutionary medicine?
3 MIN READ
0
MicroRNAs and memory
< 1 MIN READ
0
From deep time into real time: What evolutionary processes?
10 MIN READ
0
ALPHA GENOMIX
7 MIN READ
2
Unassailable evidence vs assumptions
4 MIN READ
0
Metabolism, fixation, health or neurodegerative disorder
2 MIN READ
0
Physics, Chemistry, and Molecular biology (PCMb)
2 MIN READ
0
Epigenetically-effected metabolic shifts and ecological adaptations
3 MIN READ
0
Genotype, observed phenotype, and distinctly disordered behaviors
3 MIN READ
0
Behavior (3): All responses are RNA-mediated in bees
3 MIN READ
0
Behavior (2): All responses are RNA-mediated not genetically-determined
4 MIN READ
0
Behavior: The first response is RNA-mediated not genetically-determined
3 MIN READ
0
Mechanisms that are not understood increase clarity
4 MIN READ
2
Evolutionary heritage or ecological adaptation? Racism versus reality
4 MIN READ
0
Biophysically constrained beginnings of RNA and DNA
4 MIN READ
0
Soft atheism: a case for Creation
< 1 MIN READ
0
Not focused and self-aggrandizing
2 MIN READ
0
Darwinian theories vs Darwin's facts
2 MIN READ
0
96 fixed amino acid substitutions, not 96 genes
6 MIN READ
0
Your comment is awaiting moderation
2 MIN READ
0
A newly discovered hypothalamic neurogenic niche in the brain
< 1 MIN READ
0
The hormone-miRNA axis, life span, and sexual orientation
3 MIN READ
0
The challenges of a Darwinian approach to anything
3 MIN READ
0
A key mutational event? More story-telling. Olfaction modulates vision.
4 MIN READ
0
Never too young to learn WHAT?
< 1 MIN READ
0
Desmond Morris Syndrome: No selective advantage
2 MIN READ
0
Forum discussions: the most complained about member (866 words)
3 MIN READ
0
The end of random mutations theory
2 MIN READ
0
A “new” form of natural selection?
2 MIN READ
0
Human Pheromones: theory vs models
3 MIN READ
0
Human pheromones and the fusiform fooled you area for face recognition
3 MIN READ
0
Genetic test predicts autism risk
< 1 MIN READ
0
Epigenetic effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the primate brain
2 MIN READ
0
Bio-CHEMICAL complexity
< 1 MIN READ
0
Biological facts constrain proponents of random mutations theory
2 MIN READ
0
Human pheromones and autism spectrum disorders
2 MIN READ
0
Species specificity in gene expression in the brain
2 MIN READ
0
More bird-brained behavior
2 MIN READ
0
Bee research, human sweet perception, human pheromones, and metabolic disorders
< 1 MIN READ
0
Human pheromones and inner conflict about evolution (1102 words)
4 MIN READ
0
Human Pheromone Facts and the Out of Africa Theory
3 MIN READ
0
No New Neurons for Smell?
2 MIN READ
0
Bickering theorists: opinions about selfish genes and group selection
2 MIN READ
1
Human pheromones: Olfaction, odor receptors, learning, memory, mood, brains and behavior
< 1 MIN READ
0
Human pheromone- and nutrient-dependent brain development and behavior
2 MIN READ
0
Human pheromones and brain development
2 MIN READ
0
More than speculation: adaptive evolution in species from microbes to man
2 MIN READ
0
Human Pheromones in Socioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology
2 MIN READ
0
The Perversion of Science by Evolutionary Psychologists
5 MIN READ
0
Docosahexaenoic acid and autism: praying for hope, or preying on hope
< 1 MIN READ
0
Timing is key in the proper wiring of the brain: study
2 MIN READ
0
Human Pheromones may influence brain chemistry into adulthood
< 1 MIN READ
0
Theory versus biological facts: Mental modules and models for behavior
2 MIN READ
0
Scents of Adolescence: Are you blind?
< 1 MIN READ
0
Study results: Human pheromones influence human behavior
2 MIN READ
0
For ethologists: Observation does not trump molecular biology
2 MIN READ
0
Human Pheromones and WHR: Pure conjecture?
< 1 MIN READ
0
