Science Space
Psychology – Article by José Henrique Rocha Dias Correia
Contribution of experimentation to better understand the concept of symbolic function or thought
José Henrique Rocha Dias Correia. Holder of a BSc in Psychological Sciences, Rua Cidade de Bissau, 47, 5ºB, 1800-075 Lisbon, Portugal. Email: jhrdcorreia@fmv.utl.pt
Abstract:
Cognitions and behaviours may conflict both in animals and in humans. The non-resolution of these conflicts leads to non-optimal adaptations to the environment. However, introducing symbols that act as intermediaries between cognitions and behaviours allows the resolution of conflicts between the former and the latter, leading to adaptations to the environment that are better than those resulting from thoughts without resorting to symbols. All these situations (cognition; conflict; behaviour; adaptation) may be brought to the laboratory and proven experimentally, both in animals and in humans. In this work I discuss these experiences in the light of Ethology and Neurosciences. I also examine the possible implications of the revised data for Psychoanalysis.
Keywords: Prefrontal cortex; Ethology; Homo sapiens; Neurosciences: Pan troglodytes; Psychoanalysis; Symbols.
Read the full article aqui.
José Henrique Rocha Dias Correia. Holder of a BSc in Psychological Sciences, Rua Cidade de Bissau, 47, 5ºB, 1800-075 Lisbon, Portugal. Email: jhrdcorreia@fmv.utl.pt
Abstract:
Cognitions and behaviours may conflict both in animals and in humans. The non-resolution of these conflicts leads to non-optimal adaptations to the environment. However, introducing symbols that act as intermediaries between cognitions and behaviours allows the resolution of conflicts between the former and the latter, leading to adaptations to the environment that are better than those resulting from thoughts without resorting to symbols. All these situations (cognition; conflict; behaviour; adaptation) may be brought to the laboratory and proven experimentally, both in animals and in humans. In this work I discuss these experiences in the light of Ethology and Neurosciences. I also examine the possible implications of the revised data for Psychoanalysis.
Keywords: Prefrontal cortex; Ethology; Homo sapiens; Neurosciences: Pan troglodytes; Psychoanalysis; Symbols.
Read the full article aqui.