New research suggests that dyslexia, affecting up to 20% of the world’s population, would have facilitated our adaptation and thus largely contributed to the survival of our species.
An evolving asset
Defined by World Federation of Neurology as ” ” a disorder in the child who, despite a classic classroom experience, fails to acquire the language skills in reading, writing and spelling corresponding to his intellectual abilities “, the dyslexia affects about one in five people worldwide.
In the context of work published in the journal Frontiers of Psychologyresearchers from thecambridge university determined that this apparently unfavorable condition would in fact constitute an evolutionary asset. With people suffering from it overall more competent in exploring the unknown.
” We believe that the difficulties encountered by people with dyslexia result from a cognitive compromise between the search for new information rather than the reinterpretation of those already established, and the exploitation of existing knowledge. “, valued Helen Taylorlead author of the study.
Such ” exploratory bias would have allowed humans to adapt to changing environments and so played a key role in the survival of the human species. This would translate in particular in our current societies into creativity and an ability to evolve. off the beaten track » increased in people with dyslexia.
Look at dyslexia differently
According to the study authors, this specialization could help explain why people with dyslexia struggle with certain exploitative tasks, such as reading and writing, and are more likely to move into occupations. requiring exploration-related abilities, such as arts, architecture, engineering, and entrepreneurship.
” The deficit-centric view of dyslexia does not tell the whole story “, valued Hunt. ” This research offers a new framework to help us better understand the cognitive strengths of people affected by this disorder.. »
” Schools, colleges and workplaces are not designed to make the most of exploratory learning. But we urgently need to start nurturing this way of thinking to enable humanity to continue to adapt and solve the major challenges it faces. “, she concludes.
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