IMPLICIT BIAS, EMBODIED HABITS AND DEVELOPMENTAL NICHES

Abstract

Niche construction theory highlights the active role of organisms in modifying their external environment. The developmental niche is a subset of these modifications, which refers to ecological, epistemic, social, and symbolic legacies that scaffold developmental processes. Considering that cognitive development occurs in a culturally structured environment, the question here is whether implicit cultural biases can result in maladaptive developmental niches. This article argues for an affirmative answer. To achieve this goal, we will conceptualize implicit biases as embodied perceptual habits and show that these habits are responsible for maladaptive developmental niches in children with Down syndrome and autism. By linking niche construction theory and the psychology of implicit biases, our work can offer a useful theoretical tool for diagnosing maladaptive features of niches caused by sociocultural biases, thus contributing to both areas of research.

Keywords: Niche construction theory. Implicit bias. Developmental niche. Autism. Down syndrome.