Neuropsychology Flashcards
What does neuropsychology explain?
Brain-behavior relationship
What are the methods used in neuropsychology?
Primarily case studies and quasi-experiments
What are the 3 key assumptions of neuropsychology?
1) Localization of function
2) Modularity of mind
3) Selective cognitive impairment (evidenced by DD)
How is localization defined?
Specific brain regions support specific cognitive function.
Luria, in post WW2 Russia, built on the work of Broca and Wernicke.
What are the alternate theories to localization?
Lashley proposed that the brain was equipotential and that neuroplasticity could occur.
Give an example of how localization was brought back into the limelight after Lashley?
Milner’s study of patient HM, who had impairment to LTM due to lesions to his hippocampus.
How is modularity tested?
Double dissociation.
How are assessments made in neuropsychology?
Neuropsychological tests. Eg. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or Weschler scales
How is retrograde amnesia assessed?
Autobiographical interview technique
How is anterograde amnesia?
Doors and People’s test battery
What is an example of DD in episodic memory?
Hippocampal lesion = recall issues
Perirhinal cortex lesion = recognition issues
What are the additional assumptions of DD?
1) care purity - hippocampal lesion only causes recognition problems
2) task purity - recognition is the sole task of the hippocampus
What is an example of an limitation of the modular approach?
Brain region - Task - Process mapping is oversimplfied.
What are the limitations of lesion studies?
1) They are not experimentally induced and can have many different causes.
2) Different patients will have different degrees of damage
3) Lesions may not always be limited to a specific area
4) Neuroplasticity
What are the limitations for psychological assessments?
1) They have been design for WEIRD cultures.
2) Lack ecological validity
