The dynamics of ontogeny: a neuroconstructivist perspective on genes, brains, cognition and behavior.

For years, the view that the human cognitive system is as a Swiss army knife with innately specified functional modules that come online one by one or can be impaired independently of other modules, has dominated cognitive science. In this chapter, we start out by questioning this view and argue it needs to be replaced by a dynamic neuroconstructivist approach in which genes, brain, behavior, and environment interact multidirectionally throughout development. Using examples from the recent literature, we then highlight how a static modular view of the brain remains deeply ingrained in (1) behavioral, (2) neuroimaging, and (3) genetics research on typical and atypical cognitive development. Finally, we discuss future contributions of the neuroconstructivist approach to developmental research in particular, and cognitive neuroscience in general.