Neuroscience: The Brain behind the Social Worker and Client Relationship

We are social beings. It is embedded in our DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and literally in our brain. The lack of education about neurobiology has developed many misconceptions among social workers that neuroscience is too academic and thus irrelevant to clinical practice. Although the study of the brain is important as the brain is a social organ behind the social worker and client relationship. This paper is intended to be a primer stemming from the assumption that many readers are unfamiliar with neuroscience which is the science of the brain. The purpose of this paper is to offer new insights into the crucial role of neuroscience and its applicability to the body language displayed by both the social worker and client during their relationship. The human lifespan is only about 650, 000 hours (Bryson, 2003). Humans have evolved from our primate ancestors 100, 000 years ago and it took ―another 50,000 years for our brains and culture to evolve sufficient complexity to make us capable of language, planning, and creativity‖ (Cozolino & Santos, 2014, p. 157). The brain has allowed humans to dominate all other species (Carey, 1990). It is a spongy mass which has been compared to a telephone switchboard and a supercomputer (Carey, 1990). Our brains and bodies are synchronized to function together. The brain is the most advanced and sophisticated organ known in the universe (Carey, 1990). We are social beings. It is embedded in our DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and literally in our brain. In fact, all thirteen central parts of the brain; prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insula, thalamus, brain stem, corpus callosum, cerebellum, limbic system, basal ganglia, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus and the pituitary gland all have a partner (Hanson, 2009). There are no single brains as we are all intricately connected to each other; imperative for our well being and survival. Our brains process sensory, motor, and emotional information in10 to 50 milliseconds, but it takes 500 to 600 milliseconds (a half second) for brain activity to even register in conscious awareness (Cozolino & Santos, 2014). The idea that a substantial portion of the human mind is unconscious is not new, as Freud himself provided the most significant insight to look beyond the narrow corridor of consciousness (Wilson, 2004). The lack of education about neurobiology has developed many misconceptions among social workers that neuroscience is too academic and thus irrelevant to clinical practice (Applegate & Shapiro, 2005). The study of the brain is critical as the brain is a social organ behind the social worker and client relationship. This paper is intended to be a primer stemming from the assumption that many readers are unfamiliar with neuroscience which is the science of the brain (Applegate & Shapiro, 2005). The purpose of this paper is to offer new insights into the crucial role of neuroscience and its applicability to the body language displayed by both the social worker and client during their relationship. The characteristics of the brain have a tremendous impact on how we function. Therefore, understanding the connection between the brain and body and by extension, the implications for social work practice will provide a psychoeducational perspective of how we think and act. To set the stage, the author will introduce interesting facts about the brain, a working example of Dr. Dan Siegel (2013) Hand Model of the Brain and Dr. John Ridley Stroop (1935) Stroop Colour Word Test. Readers will have the opportunity to try these examples for themselves as for the philosopher, John Dewey (1904) emphasized, you learn by doing. Next will be the importance of body language, and Dr. Edward Tronick ̳Still Face Experiment. ’ Lastly, implications for social work