Neurobiology and child development: Challenging current interpretation and policy implications

Abstract

Ontogenic knowledge is the form of knowledge we use to take in information, interpret it and develop action as a result of our understanding (Billett, 1996). In other words, our ontogenic knowledge shapes our interpretation and action in the world. In understanding interpretation and action we therefore have to work backwards to determine what people hold as ontogenic knowledge. Bruner and Haste (1990) and Gelman (1997) identify ontogenic knowledge as conceptual frameworks or models of the world and these are underpinned by values, beliefs, emotions and interests (Reynolds & Salters, 1995) - what Billet names dispositions. Dispositions determine our motivation to attend to incoming information, to either assimilate or accommodate the new information (Piaget, 1952), and to shape actions.