Why Do They (or We) Do That?

It’s obvious we say.  Business is global.  We work with teams whose members come from many countries, even when we all live in one place.  As we strive to work together we still find ourselves asking – why do they do that?

Now answers to that question are coming not just from observation of people in business situations but also studies conducted in a relatively new field called Cultural Neuroscience.  In a recent article  Beth Azar describted it as a “field that uses brain-imaging technology to deepen the understanding of how environment and beliefs can shape mental function.” 

Based on their work we learn that culture appears to influence brain development and possibly brain development influences culture too.   New ways to answer our question.

It’s fascinating to read about the studies and this developing field.  Neuroscience can measure cultural differences, possibly confirm work from the field of cultural psychology.  That in turn will help all us be better able to answer our the question:  Why do they (or do we) do that?  Take a few minutes and read her article” Your Brain on Culture” http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/11/neuroscience.aspx and look forward to learning what else these scientists discover.