,2
,Chapter 1 | An introduction to neuropsychology
Phrenology: idea started by Gall, also known as localisation
Luria’s summary of the functional architecture of the brain
o Three continually interacting functional units:
Subcortical: alertness and attention
Posterior: cognitive information processing, perception, storage of
information
Anterior: to organise behaviour, planning and regulation
o Three hierarchically organised levels of processing:
Primary zones: projection areas of sense and locomotion
Secondary zones: builds on the primary zone functions, adds the assignation
of meaning to incoming information
Tertiary zones: cognitive integration, forming of intentions and plans,
evaluation of one’s behaviour
o Behaviour not regulated by language, related to L and R hemisphere
For complex behaviour both sides were involved. Luria didn’t believe this
was the case for language based behaviour.
Chapter 2 | Neuropsychology in practice
Neuropsychologists are scientist-practitioners, diagnosing and treating brain disorders
First Dutch neuropsychologist: Abram Grünbaum
Neuropsychological assessment uses hypothesis testing. NP’s go through a diagnostic cycle:
o Complaints analysis
o Problem analysis
o Diagnosis
o Indication for treatment
Test-retest reliability: the extent to which a test yields the same results when it is taken at
different times by the same patient
o Indicated by correlation coefficient
Inter-rater reliability: the degree of correspondence between the result of different
researchers
Ecological validity: how accurately a test predicts daily functioning
Face validity: the extent to which a test initially seems to measure what it is supposed to
3
, Chapter 3 | Neuropsychology: the scientific approach
Distinction in the field of neuropsychology
o Fundamental neuropsychological research: focuses on achieving a better
understanding of underlying cognitive disorders and the related brain structures
o Clinically oriented neuropsychological research: more detailed classification of
symptoms, the usefulness of test instruments and procedures, the follow-up of an
illness.
Test battery: a series of correlated presumptions delivered at one time, with scores
documented separately or mixed to produce a single score
Subtraction method: subtracting the score obtained for a simple condition from the score for
a more complex condition (traffic light example)
Dissociation: a specific loss of function - cognitive functioning is intact but a specific part of
cognitive functioning is lost
Single dissociation: patient unable to perform task A but able to perform task B (yes simple
task, no complex task, even though tasks are related)
Double dissociation: Demonstrates two more or less independent cognitive processes that
were originally thought to be a connected processes
o Group studies can have flaws in that people with different sized lesions can have the
same outcomes. As well as people with the same size lesions can have different
outcomes.
Longitudinal research: a design that charts the course of the disease over time
Cross-sectional design: obtain measurements for different patients in different stages of the
disease
Explicit memory: memories you consciously remember
Implicit memory: things you're not conscious of, riding a bike
Agnosia: not being able to recognize things
o
4
,Chapter 1 | An introduction to neuropsychology
Phrenology: idea started by Gall, also known as localisation
Luria’s summary of the functional architecture of the brain
o Three continually interacting functional units:
Subcortical: alertness and attention
Posterior: cognitive information processing, perception, storage of
information
Anterior: to organise behaviour, planning and regulation
o Three hierarchically organised levels of processing:
Primary zones: projection areas of sense and locomotion
Secondary zones: builds on the primary zone functions, adds the assignation
of meaning to incoming information
Tertiary zones: cognitive integration, forming of intentions and plans,
evaluation of one’s behaviour
o Behaviour not regulated by language, related to L and R hemisphere
For complex behaviour both sides were involved. Luria didn’t believe this
was the case for language based behaviour.
Chapter 2 | Neuropsychology in practice
Neuropsychologists are scientist-practitioners, diagnosing and treating brain disorders
First Dutch neuropsychologist: Abram Grünbaum
Neuropsychological assessment uses hypothesis testing. NP’s go through a diagnostic cycle:
o Complaints analysis
o Problem analysis
o Diagnosis
o Indication for treatment
Test-retest reliability: the extent to which a test yields the same results when it is taken at
different times by the same patient
o Indicated by correlation coefficient
Inter-rater reliability: the degree of correspondence between the result of different
researchers
Ecological validity: how accurately a test predicts daily functioning
Face validity: the extent to which a test initially seems to measure what it is supposed to
3
, Chapter 3 | Neuropsychology: the scientific approach
Distinction in the field of neuropsychology
o Fundamental neuropsychological research: focuses on achieving a better
understanding of underlying cognitive disorders and the related brain structures
o Clinically oriented neuropsychological research: more detailed classification of
symptoms, the usefulness of test instruments and procedures, the follow-up of an
illness.
Test battery: a series of correlated presumptions delivered at one time, with scores
documented separately or mixed to produce a single score
Subtraction method: subtracting the score obtained for a simple condition from the score for
a more complex condition (traffic light example)
Dissociation: a specific loss of function - cognitive functioning is intact but a specific part of
cognitive functioning is lost
Single dissociation: patient unable to perform task A but able to perform task B (yes simple
task, no complex task, even though tasks are related)
Double dissociation: Demonstrates two more or less independent cognitive processes that
were originally thought to be a connected processes
o Group studies can have flaws in that people with different sized lesions can have the
same outcomes. As well as people with the same size lesions can have different
outcomes.
Longitudinal research: a design that charts the course of the disease over time
Cross-sectional design: obtain measurements for different patients in different stages of the
disease
Explicit memory: memories you consciously remember
Implicit memory: things you're not conscious of, riding a bike
Agnosia: not being able to recognize things
o
4
