Learning as adaptation

According to Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, learning is defined as the ability of an organism to adapt to changes in its environment. The brain continuously draws lessons from experiences, allowing it to adjust future decisions.

Predictions and brain plasticity

This process involves forming predictions, which are confirmed or refuted by experience, leading to the adoption of appropriate behaviors. Physiologically, this is referred to as brain plasticity, where certain neural networks are strengthened while others are weakened, enabling the acquisition and storage of new skills or information.

Innate versus acquired factors

The question of whether brain plasticity relates more to innate or acquired factors is complex, as both interact constantly. There are no skills that are fundamentally innate or entirely acquired. Genetic variability contributes to behaviors and skills, including social and emotional aspects, but these are shaped by environmental influences.

Environmental shaping of behavior

One can speak of an "initial state" to which learning shaped by the environment is added. It is impossible to fix a universal proportion of innate versus acquired factors, as it depends on the context. Epigenetic mechanisms allow the environment to modify how genes affect the brain and body, further complicating the distinction.

Extended brain development

It remains certain that humans are programmed to learn, entering the world "incomplete" in a sense, a particularity of the species. Brain development extends over twenty to twenty-five years, or even thirty, according to some recent data. This long duration offers tremendous opportunities, as the brain is particularly plastic.

Early environmental influence

This development is influenced early by the environment, including in utero. Environmental factors can significantly influence learning. In disadvantaged social environments, children often experience more chronic stress and sleep less well due to overcrowded or poorly insulated housing.

Impact of heat waves

This was observed this summer during heat waves, where daily life became unbearable for people in thermally inefficient homes, affecting the youngest. Some environments offer less daily stimulation and cognitive richness, which can affect brain development.