Neuropsychology

Welcome to the Far Eastern University public intellectual lecture series, hosted by Rita Cuscio from the political science department.
Topic: Neuropsychology and its role in explaining moral behavior.
Guest: Dr. Rachel Ann Rosales Spar, practicing psychologist at the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services and professor at De La Salle University.

Definition: Neuropsychology is the study of behavior through the lens of brain processes.
Focus: Understanding moral beings through neuroscience, encompassing how scientific models describe, explain, and predict behavior.
Importance of understanding how brain functionality influences ethical decision-making.

Research Scope:
- Studies show the biological roots of moral development can be influenced by genetics and brain processes.
- Exploration of empathy, risk-taking behavior, and the development of conscience in adolescence.

Empathy: Relationship and understanding emotions and actions of others influences behavior.
Adolescence:
- Period of increased risk-taking behavior due to ongoing brain development and social influences.
- Importance of peer influence in decision-making versus parental guidance.

Universalities in Behavior: Exploring common moral behaviors across species, including humans and primates.
Cognitive Neuroscience: Investigates how brain processes affect perception and behavior, while also recognizing that experiences can reshape brain structure.
Developmental Psychology: Systematic study of individual changes from conception to death, examining physical, emotional, social, and moral developments.

Five Major Categories of Moral Behavior:
1. Care vs. Harm: Valuing compassion and cherishing one another.
2. Fairness vs. Cheating: Emphasis on justice and equity in moral reasoning.
3. Loyalty vs. Betrayal: Sense of belonging and group dynamics influence behavior.
4. Authority vs. Subversion: Respect for social hierarchies and authority figures.
5. Sanctity vs. Degradation: Values around purity, moral dilemmas, and acceptance of diverse lifestyles (e.g., same-sex marriage).

Discovery of Mirror Neurons:
- Research on monkeys revealed neurons that activate during both action and observation of action, hinting at innate empathy and understanding.

Mutually Responsive Orientation: Significant interactions between parent and child that shape emotional bonding and conscience development.
Role of Positive Interactions: Key experiences (e.g., touch, voice recognition) that facilitate attachment and moral learning in children.

During interactions, dopamine levels rise, fostering emotional connections crucial for proper conscience development.

Parents not only instruct children on morals but also act as role models, demonstrating moral behavior through actions.
Children absorb behaviors and values through experiences, influencing their ethical decision-making throughout life.

Issues like sexual behavior, addiction, and mental health among youth can be understood through neuropsychology.
Emotional pathways in adolescents are still developing, making them susceptible to peer pressure and unsuccessful social learning experiences, influencing behaviors like risk-taking and substance use.

Moral Foundations and Cheating: Weakened moral convictions can lead to unethical behaviors like cheating.
Criminal Behavior: Criminal activity, including sexual violence, can indicate deeper psychological issues and a lack of empathy.
- Rape discussed as a power dynamic rather than a sexual issue; associated with psychopathology and trauma history influencing moral development.

Plasticity: The brain's capacity to adapt, reshape, and form new connections in response to experiences.
Importance of rehabilitation and therapeutic experiences in assisting those with trauma or psychological disorders to develop moral understanding and pro-social behavior.

Emphasis on restorative justice over punitive measures when dealing with offenders, advocating for rehabilitation and understanding of underlying issues.
Mahatma Gandhi quote reflects on the essence of actions defining an individual: “A man is the sum of his actions of what he has done and of what he can do.”
Students are encouraged to realize the importance of nurturing the right experiences in relationships and communities to foster healthy brain development and moral behavior.

Importance of caring for mental health and selecting constructive, enriching experiences for personal development.
Reflection on how brain functioning relates to individual moral choices and overall well-being.