Cultural Neuroscience and Cognition

What part do you think environment plays in terms of cognitive development in children? The new genre of Cultural Neuroscience has validated the importance of a child’s environment in terms of cognition (at least). Studies have found that cognitive ability is consistently enhanced and/or diminished by the quality of the developmental milieu for a child in both African and American Cultures. (Chiao, Joan Y. Cultural Neuroscience: Cultural influences on brain function. Volume 178. Pp 130. US:Elsevier (Mosby/Saunders).