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Human Cognitive Diversity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2025

Ingo Brigandt
Affiliation:
University of Alberta

Summary

We humans are diverse. But how to understand human diversity in the case of cognitive diversity? This Element discusses how to properly investigate human behavioural and cognitive diversity, how to scientifically represent, and how to explain cognitive diversity. Since there are various methodological approaches and explanatory agendas across the cognitive and behavioural sciences, which can be more or less useful for understanding human diversity, a critical analysis is needed. And as the controversial study of sex and gender differences in cognition illustrates, the scientific representations and explanations put forward matter to society and impact public policy, including policies on mental health. But how to square the vision of human cognitive diversity with the assumption that we all share one human nature? Is cognitive diversity something to be positively valued? The author engages with these questions in connection with the issues of neurodiversity, cognitive disability, and essentialist construals of human nature.
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Human Cognitive Diversity
  • Ingo Brigandt, University of Alberta
  • Online ISBN: 9781009496407
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Human Cognitive Diversity
  • Ingo Brigandt, University of Alberta
  • Online ISBN: 9781009496407
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Human Cognitive Diversity
  • Ingo Brigandt, University of Alberta
  • Online ISBN: 9781009496407
Available formats
×