ABSTRACT
The field of neuroscience is opening up new explanations of the connections between the biological brain and human behavior. Psychologists have long believed that the development of the structure and function of the human brain is shaped by one’s environment, and that the environment is naturally shaped by culture. There is now a specific field in the area of cultural neuroscience that studies the interchange between neural and cultural forces which promote human cognition, perception, and behavior (Ambady, 2011). The question is, howdoes culture,which includes behaviors, communication, and rules, shape the minds (and brains) of people, as well as how is culture shaped by the mind? And, is there a specific part of the brain where such cultural differences are located?Neuroscientists have found that social factors such as group norms and expectations impact the brain regarding the reptilian complex, which is the most basic part of the brain for all breathing creatures. The limbic system, which is related to emotional and social behaviors as
impacted also. As leaders it is critical to understand how people think, so in this chapter we will focus on the connection of cognition (reasoning/ thought) and language.
