 Increased efforts in neuroscience try to understand mental disorders as brain disorders. In the present study we investigate how common a neuroreductionist inclination is in the popular mind. Identically graphed, simulated data of mind-brain correlations were shown in three contexts with presumably different presumptions about causality. 738 highly-educated laymen rated plausibility of causality attribution from brain to mind and from mind to brain for correlations between brain structural properties and mental phenomena in the context of commonly perceived brain-lesion induced behavior (aphasia), behavior-induced training effects (piano playing), and a newly described mental disorder ( Body Integrity Dysphoria). The findings reveal the expected context-dependent modulation , but also a general tendency to more readily attribute causal inference from brain to mind than vice versa . We argue that this tendency has important consequences, especially in the context of Body Integrity Dysphoria, a condition where little is known about underlying causal mechanisms .
Introduction. Increased efforts in neuroscience try to understand mental disorders as brain disorders. In the present study we investigate how common a neuroreductionist inclination is among highly educated people. In particular, we shed light on implicit presuppositions of mental disorders little is known about in the public, exemplified here by the case of Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID) that is considered a mental disorder for the first time in ICD-11. Methods. Identically graphed, simulated data of mind-brain correlations were shown in three contexts with presumably different presumptions about causality. 738 highly-educated laymen rated plausibility of causality attribution from brain to mind and from mind to brain for correlations between brain structural properties and mental phenomena . We contrasted participants' plausibility ratings of causality in the contexts of commonly perceived brain-lesion induced behavior (aphasia), behavior-induced training effects (piano playing), and a newly described mental disorder ( BID). Results. The findings reveal the expected context-dependent modulation of causality attributions in the contexts of aphasia and piano playing. Furthermore, we observed a significant tendency to more readily attribute causal inference from brain to mind than vice versa with respect to BID. Conclusion. In some contexts, exemplified here by aphasia and piano playing, unidirectional causality attributions may be justified. However, with respect to BID, we critically discuss presumably unjustified neuroreductionist inclinations under causal uncertainty. Finally, we emphasize the need for a presupposition-free approach in psychiatry .
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Introduction.
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in the popular mind.
among highly educated people. In particular, we shed light on implicit presuppositions of mental disorders little is known about in the public, exemplified here by the case of Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID) that is considered a mental disorder for the first time in ICD-11. Methods.
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in the context
. We contrasted participants' plausibility ratings of causality in the contexts
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Body Integrity Dysphoria).
BID). Results.
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, but also a general
of causality attributions in the contexts of aphasia and piano playing. Furthermore, we observed a significant
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. We argue that this tendency has important consequences, especially in the context of Body Integrity Dysphoria, a condition where little is known about underlying causal mechanisms
with respect to BID. Conclusion. In some contexts, exemplified here by aphasia and piano playing, unidirectional causality attributions may be justified. However, with respect to BID, we critically discuss presumably unjustified neuroreductionist inclinations under causal uncertainty. Finally, we emphasize the need for a presupposition-free approach in psychiatry