Open AccessShining a light on cultural neuroscience: Recommendations on the use of fNIRS to study how sociocultural contexts shape the brain.
Author(s) -
Maria M. Arredondo
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
cultural diversity and ethnic minority psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.049
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1939-0106
pISSN - 1099-9809
DOI - 10.1037/cdp0000469
Subject(s) - cultural neuroscience , sociocultural evolution , psycinfo , neuroimaging , psychology , social neuroscience , functional near infrared spectroscopy , cognitive neuroscience , cultural diversity , functional neuroimaging , cognition , cognitive science , neuroscience , social cognition , medline , prefrontal cortex , sociology , anthropology , political science , law
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a portable neuroimaging technique that may serve as a methodological tool for studying how sociocultural contexts can shape the human brain and impact cognition and behavior. The use of fNIRS in community-based research may (a) advance theoretical knowledge in psychology and neuroscience, particularly regarding underrepresented ethnic-racial communities; (b) increase diversity in samples; and (c) provide neurobiological evidence of sociocultural factors supporting human development. The review aims to introduce the use of fNIRS, including its practicalities and limitations, to new adopters inquiring how sociocultural inputs affect the brain. The review begins with an introduction to cultural neuroscience, and a review on the use of fNIRS follows. Next, benefits and guidelines to the design of fNIRS research in naturalistic environments (in the community or in the field) using a cultural lens are discussed. Strengths-based and community-based approaches in cultural neuroscience are recommended throughout. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).