The word "literature" stems from the Latin word "litteratura," meaning "learning, a writing, grammar." Now, the meaning of the word encompasses written works of art, science, or learning. Whereas in an artistic context, literature refers to works of creative expression, scientific literature is the body of scholarly writing on a subject. The core qualifications of scientific literature include expert authorship (by researchers, scientists, or expert professionals), peer review, a presentation of primary or secondary research, methodological transparency, evidence-based conclusions, citations and references, and a standardized format. The Body Keeps the Score, despite being written by a clinician and researcher and drawing on peer-reviewed research, is not considered scientific literature. Rather, it's classified as a nonfiction, popular science, psychology, mental health, and self-help book. Van der Kolk presents scientific findings on trauma as well as clinical anecdotes and broader reflections, making this knowledge accessible to the general public. Therapists and educators also rely on the book, though not all professionals and experts agree with everything that van der Kolk writes.
Bridging the gap between science and lay understanding is no easy task. This is a central issue in science communication, with factors like scientific jargon, abstract concepts, information overload, and risk of oversimplification playing a role. Van der Kolk himself has been accused of this last point, though this can be partially explained by the evolving nature of scientific knowledge. For instance, he writes about the triune brain theory, which suggests that the brain evolved in three distinct layers (the reptilian brain, mammalian brain, and neocortex). However, this theory has since been strongly revised. The new consensus (which is not reflected in The Body Keeps the Score) is that the brain is far more integrated in terms of how it evolves and functions.
