The term "blank slate" originates from the latin phrase tabula rasa, which refers to the idea that individuals are born without built-in predisposition, and that both knowledge and personality characteristics come from experience or perception. There exists a long standing philosophical controversy surrounding nature versus nurture, and the truth of the blank slate philosophy.
The blank slate concept played a role in the ideas of great philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, and more recently made its way into the work of Sigmund Freud, who depicted personality traits as being largely formed by family dynamics.
In recent years, behavioral genetics have supported strong genetic influences on a variety of personal characteristics, disproving the theory of the blank slate.
Current research tells us that our brains possess the incredible ability to reform in response to environment, physiology, and lifestyle. When we focus on learning a new skill, behavior or way of thinking, new neural pathways develop. This means that our day-to-day thoughts and behaviors can create measurable change in not only our world perspective, but on brain structure and function.
At Blank Slate Therapy, we honor your unique biological story, while emphasizing the freedom of each individual to author their own journey.
