"God is a Cryptographer": Neuroscience with Jim Perrone, PhD

By Jakub Kaczmarzyk, Regis ’12

Secrecy, security, and espionage. These are some of the words that come to mind when we think of cryptography. But should God also come to mind? To Dr. James Perrone, Regis ’54 and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Connecticut, there is no question.

“What do you get from ‘God is a Cryptographer?’” he asked the Seminar students. To begin, many of us referenced Francis Collins, a leader of the Human Genome Project, who believes that God’s code is our own DNA. We have all learned that DNA evolved over millions of years to arrive at the lengthy sequence that codes for the human, but how has theology played a role? Collins’ believes in theistic evolution, the theory that God created the universe and used evolution to develop human beings.

This theory may appeal to those who seek to advance scientific knowledge while maintaining their own faith, but it also reveals a recent and astounding evolution in human society. As one student asked, “Do you think perhaps that we’re at the point where we can’t afford to keep [God and science] separate anymore because we’re understanding so much about the human condition?”

“That’s right, we are going to have to [link the two],” Dr. Perrone replied. [See video below for more]

We went on to discuss one of neuroscience’s most significant recent discoveries, mirror neurons, which allow (perhaps cause?) us to identify with others.

For example, Madeline watches Catherine pick up a pen—the same neurons that control Catherine’s hand also fire in Madeline’s brain, even though Madeline’s hand never moves. Mirror neurons may also explain the ‘theory of the mind,’ according to which we implicitly attribute thinking to other people (vs. seeing them as “things”).

In Dr. Perrone’s words, mirror neurons therefore connect humans in a network. Pointing out the relationship between these unique brain cells and clinical psychology, Dr. Perrone also noted that a deficiency in mirror neurons may explain autism. Without these neurons, an autistic child lacks ‘theory of the mind,’ making it difficult or impossible for her to understand the emotions and nonverbal communications of another person. This fascinating concept may shed light on empathy and perhaps even morality.

Dr. Perrone also discussed cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves questioning the beliefs, feelings, and behaviors of the patient to promote more accurate self-awareness. For example, a child of a dysfunctional family may believe she is “doomed for life.” As a result, she may develop a fear of abandonment, and she may struggle to hold on to relationships. The cognitive behavioral therapist may encourage this patient to question her assumption of being condemned, for instance, by asking her to recall an interaction through which she realized she could trust a particular person.  If the therapist and patient practice this often enough, it’s possible to retrain the patient’s automatic assumptions.

Even on a purely biological level, though, one cannot be “doomed for life.” Dr. Perrone stressed the plasticity of the brain—it’s ability to change throughout one’s life. Learning and memory exemplify the brain’s alteration as a result of its environment, and they may even provide evidence for a hotly debated concept among scientists: free will. However, earlier we discussed theistic evolution, the idea that God’s language codes for life. Does this mean that free will is a mere illusion? Or did the function evolve over time?

Perhaps we can find hope in Dr. Perrone’s optimism toward science: “In ten years, we will not be able to recognize [what we now know about the brain].” And with that new knowledge, we can anticipate answers to some of our current questions, as well as even more exciting inquiries to continue our quest to understand brain, mind, and soul.

http://brainmindsoul.blogspot.com/