Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Contributors
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Lifespan Development and the Brain
- PART ONE SETTING THE STAGE ACROSS THE AGES OF THE LIFESPAN
- PART TWO NEURONAL PLASTICITY AND BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: MICROSTRUCTURE MEETS THE EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENT
- PART THREE NEURONAL PLASTICITY AND BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: ATYPICAL BRAIN ARCHITECTURES
- PART FOUR BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS AND DOMAINS
- PART FIVE PLASTICITY AND BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION IN LATER LIFE
- PART SIX BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: FROM MICRO- TO MACROENVIRONMENTS IN LARGER CULTURAL CONTEXTS
- 13 Characteristics of Illiterate and Literate Cognitive Processing: Implications of Brain–Behavior Co-Constructivism
- 14 The Influence of Work and Occupation on Brain Development
- 15 The Influence of Organized Violence and Terror on Brain and Mind: A Co-Constructive Perspective
- 16 Co-Constructing Human Engineering Technologies in Old Age: Lifespan Psychology as a Conceptual Foundation
- PART SEVEN EPILOGUE
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- References
14 - The Influence of Work and Occupation on Brain Development
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 July 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Contributors
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Lifespan Development and the Brain
- PART ONE SETTING THE STAGE ACROSS THE AGES OF THE LIFESPAN
- PART TWO NEURONAL PLASTICITY AND BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: MICROSTRUCTURE MEETS THE EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENT
- PART THREE NEURONAL PLASTICITY AND BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: ATYPICAL BRAIN ARCHITECTURES
- PART FOUR BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS AND DOMAINS
- PART FIVE PLASTICITY AND BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION IN LATER LIFE
- PART SIX BIOCULTURAL CO-CONSTRUCTION: FROM MICRO- TO MACROENVIRONMENTS IN LARGER CULTURAL CONTEXTS
- 13 Characteristics of Illiterate and Literate Cognitive Processing: Implications of Brain–Behavior Co-Constructivism
- 14 The Influence of Work and Occupation on Brain Development
- 15 The Influence of Organized Violence and Terror on Brain and Mind: A Co-Constructive Perspective
- 16 Co-Constructing Human Engineering Technologies in Old Age: Lifespan Psychology as a Conceptual Foundation
- PART SEVEN EPILOGUE
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- References
Summary
ABSTRACT
Despite its importance, there has been relatively little research on the role of occupational and work environment influences on brain development. I assess some of the existing literature, drawing inferences based on the probable relationship between cognition, and both brain structure and function, and centering particularly on the issue of adult aging. I review research focusing on occupational complexity and intellectual functioning, specific effects of particular occupations on certain brain regions, and protective effects of occupations on the brain during aging and the development of dementia.
INTRODUCTION
In a popular joke, Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective and Dr. Watson, his constant companion, go camping, and they pitch their tent under the stars. During the night, Holmes wakes his companion and says: “Watson, look up and tell me what you see.” Watson says: “I see millions of stars.” Holmes says: “What do you deduce from that?” Watson says: “If a few of those have planets, it's quite likely there are some planets like Earth, and if there are a few planets like Earth out there, there might also be life elsewhere in the universe. What do you deduce, Holmes?” Holmes replies: “Watson, you idiot, someone stole our tent!”
Sometimes it is difficult to see what is before our noses. Many of the people reading these words spend 43+ hours per week (if living in the United States) working in a highly structured occupation that provides them with the resources to live in a modern society.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Lifespan Development and the BrainThe Perspective of Biocultural Co-Constructivism, pp. 306 - 325Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2006
References
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