Weak Central Coherence Theory… and the Bridge over the River Kwai…
December 28, 2023.
What is Weak Central Coherence Theory?
Central coherence is the ability to follow a narrative, noticing the relevance of emerging detail, but able to follow the “gist” of the story.
But when a human struggles with Weak Central Coherence, they are unable to create a higher synthetic meaning from diverse experiences and discrete pools of knowledge. They may get bogged down in the quicksand of irrelevant detail (Firth, 2008).
Firth’s hypothesis is that neurodivergent humans actually perceive details better than neurotypical humans, but "cannot see the wood for the trees."
The Weak Central Coherence Theory attempts to explain how some neurodiverse humans can show remarkable ability in subjects like mathematics and engineering, yet have trouble with language skills and emotional context, and consequently tend to live in a constrained and isolated social world.
Recent researchers have found Firth’s results difficult to reproduce in experimental conditions, and autistic researchers have criticised the overall hypothesis of Weak Central Coherence as messy, inherently contradictory and biased. While others think that Firth may be on to something.
Let’s dodge that academic debate and do some Cinema Therapy about Meaningful Movies. That’s the argument I’m making here!
The Bridge over the River Kwai
The Bridge Over the River Kwai, a novel written by Pierre Boulle and adapted into an acclaimed film, slightly renamed Bridge on the River Kwai, as directed by David Lean in 1957, stands as a timeless exploration of abiding differences within human nature, morality, and the consequences of war.
Is it also about a neurodiverse British officer with a Weak Central Coherence?
Both the novel and the movie are set against the backdrop of World War II and depict the construction of a railway bridge by Allied prisoners of war (POWs) in Japanese-occupied Burma.
In this modest exploration, I’ll discuss the intricate narrative and thematic elements present in both the novel and the film, exploring how they contribute to a better understanding of how some brains might reveal a Weak Central Coherence in the face of adversity and the moral complexities of war.
Colonel Nicholson… Engineer Extraordinaire…
The story revolves around Colonel Nicholson, a British officer played by Alec Guinness in the film, who is taken captive along with his men by the Japanese forces. The POWs are coerced into building a railway bridge over the River Kwai to facilitate the transportation of supplies for the Japanese war effort.
Nicholson, initially resistant, eventually becomes obsessed with the idea of building a “perfect bridge”, showcasing British engineering prowess and defying his captors. The narrative unfolds with the shifting, parallel perspectives of the British prisoners, Japanese captors, and a commando team tasked with destroying the bridge.
Human Nature(s) and the Consequences of War…
At its core, The Bridge Over the River Kwai explores the intricacies of conflicting human nature(s) under extreme conditions.
The novel and the film present a nuanced portrayal of the relationships between captors and captives, highlighting the resilience, pride, and morality that can emerge in the face of adversity.
Colonel Nicholson's transformation from a staunch officer to a man obsessed with duty and pride symbolizes the complex interplay of personal integrity, and the demands of war, but it also describes the tunnel vision of a Weak Central Coherence unfolding in a neurodiverse brain and nervous system under intense stress.
The construction of the bridge becomes a metaphor for the broader consequences of war, where the lines between right and wrong, duty and morality, become blurred. The ethical dilemmas faced by the characters invite the audience to reflect on the choices humans make when confronted with clashes of Central Coherence, conflicting loyalties, and the struggle to survive.
Themes of misplaced honor and duty…
The theme of misplaced honor and duty permeates both the novel and the film.
Colonel Nicholson's unwavering commitment to his “duty as an officer” and his “desire to uphold British honor” create a moral tension that defines the entire narrative.
This theme is not confined to the British characters; it extends to the Japanese captors as well, particularly Colonel Saito, who is torn between loyalty to his superiors and a desire to maintain his own particular sense of honor.
The construction of the bridge itself becomes a symbol of the Conflicting Coherence at play.
While it represents the triumph of British engineering and determination, it also serves the military goals of the Japanese war machine. This duality raises profound questions about the nature of honor and duty in wartime and whether one can truly maintain integrity in the face of coercion and brutality.
But it also describes how warfare requires a singular commitment, and a strong and abiding Central Coherence.
A modern masterpiece, and an early exploration of a neurodiverse British officer under stress?
The success of both the novel and the film can be attributed in part to the compelling characterizations and stellar performances by the cast.
Alec Guinness's portrayal of Colonel Nicholson earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, and his nuanced depiction of a man torn between his own misplaced sense of duty and morality remains one of the film's enduring strengths.
I see Colonel Nicholson, as an early cinematic exploration (1957) of how an neurodivergent mind could lose the Central Coherence of winning a war, by getting bogged in in lesser concerns of morale and demonstrable technological superiority.
The characters in the novel are equally well-drawn, with Boulle providing readers with insights into the minds of individuals grappling with the moral complexities of war.
The character of Shears, played by William Holden in the film, offers a contrasting perspective. Shears is a cynic utterly focused on self-preservation.
Shears embodies the more pragmatic and survival-driven aspects of human nature. His character serves as a neurotypical foil to Colonel Nicholson, emphasizing the diversity of responses humans will manifest when faced with the harsh realities of war. Shears has a powerful central coherence, and never wavers from his essential focus on survival.
A film of compelling force…
David Lean's direction and the cinematography of The Bridge on the River Kwai have become benchmarks of cinematic excellence. The film's stunning visuals, captured by cinematographer Jack Hildyard, transport the audience into the heart of the Burmese jungle, creating a palpable sense of the harsh conditions faced by the POWs.
The use of the CinemaScope format contributes to the grandeur of the film, allowing for expansive shots of the jungle, the construction site, and the bridge itself. The film's score, composed by Malcolm Arnold, enhances the emotional impact of the narrative, creating a memorable and evocative atmosphere.
Final Thoughts…
The Bridge Over the River Kwai stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the complexities of the human condition during wartime.
Pierre Boulle's novel and David Lean's film offer a nuanced exploration of morality, honor, and duty, inviting audiences to reflect on the range of choices humans are capable of making in the fog of war.
The enduring legacy of the story lies not only in its historical resonance, but in its ability to transcend time, resonating with audiences as a timeless examination of both a Weak, and Strong Central Coherence in the midst of human conflict.
Whether experienced through the pages of the novel or the frames of the film, The Bridge Over the River Kwai remains a cinematic and literary masterpiece with perhaps a hidden neurodivergent subtext that may have us considering this masterpiece in a somewhat different way in 2023, assuring that The Bridge Over the River Kwai continues to captivate and provoke our thought.
That’s what my discussion here is about. It’s a thought experiment. Excellent films are about ideas. We seem to have forgotten that.
Be well, stay kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Frith, Uta (2008). "Weak central coherence (p. 90ff.)". Autism. A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-1992-0756-5.
Happé, F.; Frith, U. (2006). "The Weak Coherence Account: Detail-focused Cognitive Style in Autism Spectrum Disorders". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Springer Science+Business Media. 36 (1): 5–25. doi:10.1007/s10803-005-0039-0. PMID 16450045. S2CID 14999943.
Natasja van Lang (2003) "Autism spectrum disorders: a study of symptom domains and weak central coherence" p. 59, (reference for the paragraph starting with "In the last decade").
Sally Ozonoff, David L. Strayer, William M. McMahon, Francis Filloux (1994) "Executive Function Abilities in Autism and Tourette Syndrome: An Information Processing Approach" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 35 (6), 1015–1032. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.1994.tb01807.x
Laurent Mottron, Jacob A. Burack, Johannes E. A. Stauder, Philippe Robaey (1999) "Perceptual Processing among High-functioning Persons with Autism" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 40 (2), 203–211. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00433
Laurent Mottron, Jacob A. Burack, Grace Iarocci, Sylvie Belleville, James T. Enns (2003) "Locally oriented perception with intact global processing among adolescents with high-functioning autism: evidence from multiple paradigms" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44 (6), 904–913. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00174
Beatriz López, Susan R. Leekam (2003) "Do children with autism fail to process information in context?" Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44 (2), 285–300. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00121
Natasja van Lang (2003) "Autism spectrum disorders: a study of symptom domains and weak central coherence" p. 59.
