[LUM#3] The Brain Nourished by Connection
What does the human brain thrive on? Social connections, say psychiatrists. Our relationships with others are the fuel for our development. Is man a social animal? We’ve known that for a long time. But perhaps we didn’t realize just how much…
Amaria Baghdadli says she studies the brain indirectly: by focusingon “behaviors and the life paths of individuals.” This external perspective offers a highly informative glimpse into this dynamic organ, one of whose key characteristics is that it is constantly evolving
What would I be without the other?
This development doesn’t happen on its own, but through social interaction, which proves vital from the very start. In terms of brain development, the final months of pregnancy are a major construction site: this is when the baby’s neurons begin to form the cortex.“At birth, everything is already hardwired. What’s already present is a complex communicative ability. The baby is ready to speak, to think. But above all, to interact,” explains the psychiatrist.
Yet these skills still need to be developed. How?“Through active experimentation, particularly through interactions.” Communication thus proves to be a sine qua non of development: without it, the little human cannot develop. To be fulfilled, genetic potential requires this nourishment: social connection…
What would I be without others?“I don’t believe self-awareness can exist without awareness of others,” asserts Amaria Baghdadli. The capacity for empathy is thus one of the main building blocks of the human being.“It is recognizing that others are like me. And simultaneously not confusing them with myself: I know I am both similar and different.”
You miss the connection, and everything feels empty
“Social motivation”—that impulse that drives us to interact with others—is thus a key element of development. It is a skill that emerges as early as a child’s first year of life. And it is something that children with autism lack. Yet without it, proper development cannot occur. This can then affect your entire social independence. A serious disability, which results in significant difficulties in applying social codes and conventions, understanding those around you, expressing yourself, and finding your place in society…
The brain never stops developing. Similarly, our dependence on others accompanies us throughout our entire lives. A baby who suffers from a lack of attention is at risk of developing serious disorders. At the other end of life, nothing has changed.“Old age is simply another stage of development. Among the factors that determine an older person’s vulnerability, human relationships are very important. We need social interaction throughout our lives: it is a key factor in protecting the individual against all difficult situations.”
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