Nooplasis: A Theory About the Formation of Mind

Abstract

This article is about nooplasis. That is, the article outlines a general model about the dynamic organization and development of mind. This is done in terms of a number of postulates concerned with the architecture of mind, its development and dynamics, and the nature of learning. Specifically, the model postulates that the mind involves systems oriented to the understanding of the environment and of itself, in addition to general processing functions. It is also postulated that the development of each of the systems is partially autonomous and partially constrained by the development of the other systems, and that it involves both system-specific and system-wide mechanisms of development and learning. Finally, it is argued that these postulates suggest a model of constrained constructivism which differs considerably from what is suggested by the Piagetian or the Vygotskian conception of constructivism.