Cultural Neuroscience in South Africa

Abstract South Africa may be a particularly useful exemplar with which to consider some of the potential promises and pitfalls of cultural neuroscience. This chapter draws on our experience as scientists who have worked in the South African context, who have used both neuroscientific and social science methodologies, and who have wondered how best to integrate these often quite different perspectives. We begin by proposing a heuristic conceptual framework that articulates “classical,” “critical,” and “integrative” approaches to cultural neuroscience, and we then use this to exemplify promises and pitfalls of cultural neuroscience in South Africa and to map out a research agenda for the future.