The brain nourished by connection
What does the human brain feed on? Social ties, say psychiatrists. Relationships with others are the fuel of our development. Is man a social animal? We've known that for a long time. We just didn't know to what extent...
If Amaria Baghdadli observes the brain, it's indirectly, she says: by taking an interest "behaviors and trajectories of individuals".. An outside view that opens a highly instructive window on this turbulent organ, a major characteristic of which is its perpetual development.
What would I be without the other?
This development doesn't happen on its own, but through social interaction, which is vital from the outset. As far as the brain is concerned, the last months of pregnancy are a major construction site: this is the time when the baby's neurons fall into place to form the cortex. "At birth, everything is already pre-wired. What is already present is a complex communicative skill. The baby is ready to speak, to think. But above all to interact," explains the psychiatrist.
But these are skills that have yet to be developed. How can they be developed? "Through active experimentation, particularly with interactions. Communication is thus a sine qua non of development: without it, the little human being cannot be built. To be fulfilled, genetic promises need this nutrient: the social link...
What would I be without the other? "I don't believe that 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 means recognizing that others are like me. And at the same time, not confusing them with myself: I know I'm similar and different".
You miss the link and everything is depopulated
Social motivation", the impulse to interact with others, is a key element of development. A skill that appears as early as the child's first year. And one that autistic children lack. Without it, there can be no proper development. Your social autonomy can be affected. A serious handicap, which translates into the greatest difficulties in applying social codes and conventions, understanding those around you, expressing yourself, finding your place in society...
The brain never stops developing. Likewise, our dependence on others accompanies us throughout life. A baby who suffers from a lack of attention is likely to develop serious disorders. At the other end of life, nothing has changed. "Old age is just another stage in development. Among the factors that determine the frailty of the elderly, human relationships are very important. We need social interaction throughout our lives: it's a key factor in protecting the individual in the face of all difficult situations".