Major Theories of Neuropsychology & Intro to the SNP/CHC Model

Question 1

What Russian neuropsychologist, recognized as a major force behind modern neuropsychology, wrote the “Higher Cortical Functions in Man” (1963) and “The Working Brain” (1973)?

Answer 1

Alexander Luria (1902 - 1977), aka the father of neuropsychology.

Question 2

The Luria’s Model of Functional Localization is organized in what three major “units’ or ‘blocks”?

Answer 2

(I) - the arousal unit
(II) - the sensory input unit
(III) - the output/planning unit

Question 3

The Unit 1: Arousal and Attentional Processes is composed of:

Answer 3

The brainstem, reticular formation, midbrain, pons, and medulla

Question 4

Brain damage in Luria’s Unit 1 is going to cause?

Answer 4

Major difficulties with higher cortical function, i.e. alteration or loss of consciousness.

Question 5

Luria’s Unit 2: Sensory Reception and Integration (or Association Cortex) is composed of:

Answer 5

Temporal lobes (auditory processing), Occipital lobes (visual processing), and Parietal Lobes (tactile/kinesthetic processing).

Question 6

What are the functions of Luria’s Unit II?

Answer 6

Sorting and recording of initial information, sequential organization and coding, simultaneous processing and integration.

Question 7

In Luria’s Model, each lobe can be divided into what 3 “zones of functioning”?

Answer 7

1. Primary Zone (receives, sorts, records information)
2. Secondary Zone (organizes, codes information)
3. Tertiary Zone (merges, synthesizes, forms basis of complex behavior)

The information that is being processed is more sophisticated as you move through the levels.

Question 8

Organizing sounds into phonemes, pitch, tone, rhythm, etc. occurs in which of Luria’s units?

Answer 8

Unit II, in the Temporal lobes.

Question 9

Analyzing color, shape, and form occurs in which of Luria’s units?

Answer 9

Unit II, Secondary areas, in the Occipital lobes

Question 10

Analyzing direction, strength, localization of touch and movement of muscles and joints occurs in which of Luria’s Units?

Answer 10

Unit II, Secondary areas, in the Parietal Lobes

Question 11

Luria’s Unit II, Tertiary areas are believed to be responsible for?

Answer 11

Cross-modality processing (e.g., auditory-visual processing (necessary for reading), auditory-tactile integration (necessary for writing), or visual-tactile integration (necessary for arithmetic, as well as body location in space and visual-spatial skills).

Question 12

What is Luria’s Unit III: Output/Planning often referred to as?

Answer 12

The “executor” portion of the brain (it’s involved with higher order processing such as organization of information, conscious implementation of our plans, and ideas, and formulation of intentions and programs of behavior)

Question 13

What is the function of the Frontal Lobes in Luria’s Unit III?

Answer 13

Formulation of intentions and programs of behavior, higher order of processing, locus of intelligence.

Question 14

What is the Primary Zone of Luria’s Unit III?

Answer 14

The Primary Zone (Motor output) is the “motor strip” or “motor cortex” - sends motor commands to muscles.

Question 15

What does the Secondary Zone of Luria’s Unit III do?

Answer 15

The Secondary Zone (premotor area) organizes the sequences of motor acts.

Question 16

What does the Tertiary Zone in Luria’s Unit III do?

Answer 16

The Tertiary Zone (prefrontal lobes) involves maturity, decision making, planning, attention, delay of gratification.

Question 17

Injuries to what area of Luria’s Unit III can produce hemiplegia?

Answer 17

The Secondary Area - the motor area.

Question 18

The prefrontal lobes (tertiary area in Luria’s Unit III) receive information from what areas?

Answer 18

From the Tertiary area of the second unit, as well as from the emotional limbic system of the first unit, that allows individuals to respond rationally to environmental changes, and demands to the sensory input, and past experiences.

Question 19

Luria’s work serves as the foundation for what theory?

Answer 19

The past theory.

Question 20

This was the first test battery (1951) designed to measure a broad range of abilities.

Answer 20

The Halstead-Reitan Batteries

Question 21

She is credited for emphasizing qualitative behaviors, later known as the Boston Process Approach.

Answer 21

Edith Kaplan

Question 22

She proposed the neurodevelopmental model (NDM) in 2017 (its roots are in Lurian theory)

Answer 22

Elaine Fletcher-Janzen

Question 23

The Neurodevelopmental Model (NDM) Evaluation Process contains how many steps?

Answer 23

10

Question 24

What are the shortcomings of the CHC Theory? What constructs does it not address?

Answer 24

Sensorimotor Functions, Attention, Learning and Memory, and Executive Functions

Question 25

In the initial development of the SNP model, in addition to CHC Theory, what other theories were integrated into the model?

Answer 25

Mirsky’s theory of attention, the Baddeley and Hitch’s theory of working memory, the Kaplan’s process-oriented approach, and the Lurian approach of strengths and weaknesses.

Question 26

What two approaches did Hale and Fiorello (2004) combine in the Cognitive Hypothesis Testing (CHT)?

Answer 26

1. Individual psychoeducational assessment.
2. Intervention development and monitoring, using both behavioral interventions and problem-solving consultation.

Question 27

What are the four components of the Cognitive Hypothesis Testing (CHT) Model?

Answer 27

1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Data collection
4. Interpretation
   Integrated in 13 steps of CHT Assessments.

Question 28

Conducting Demand Analysis is a key component of which model?

Answer 28

The CHT model.
It examines Input Demands (e.g., receptive language, visual-motor integration), Task Processing Demands (e.g., focused attention, processing speed, working memory, reasoning, etc.), and Output Demand (e.g., fine motor response, visual-motor coordination, visual-spatial processing, expressive language).

Question 29

How many broad classifications did the original SNP Model (2007-2012) consist of?

Answer 29

Seven.
(Sensorimotor functions, attentional processes, visual-spatial processes, language functions, learning and memory, executive functions, speed and efficiency of cognitive processing)

Question 30

What are the SNP Model Classifications?

Answer 30

Broad Classifications > Second Order Classifications > Third Order Classifications

Question 31

What are Sensorimotor Functions?

Answer 31

The basic building blocks for higher-order cognitive processes, which influence the acquisition of acquired knowledge.

Question 32

Where is the primary auditory cortex located?

Answer 32

In the superior part of the temporal lobe and buried within the sylvian fissure or lateral sulcus.

Question 33

Name the brain regions associated with language.

Answer 33

Broca’s area, Angular gyrus, Insular cortex, Wernicke’s area.