Alfredo Ardila - Böcker

In this volume the authors combine two clinically-oriented approaches to language disorder. The clinical aspects of aphasia syndromes are stressed but the authors also review assessment techniques, linguistic analyses, problems of aphasia classification, and frequently occuring related disorders such as alexia, agraphia and acalculia. In addition, commonly encountered speech disorders, neurobehavioral and psychiatric problems commonly associated with apasia, and the language characteristics of aging and dementia reviewed. A neural basis is proposed for aphasia and related problems. Finally, aspects of rehabilitation and recovery are presented.

We anticipate that these tests and norms will be particularly useful in the neuropsychological evaluation of Spanish speakers, especially those with limited educational attainment, and the elderly.

The role of culture is significant when measuring cognitive abilities during neuropsychological assessments. However, cultural diversity is a frequently overlooked moderating variable. The International Handbook of Cross-Cultural Neuropsychology emphasizes major distinctions among cultural groups in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia to heighten awareness of nuances, as well as culturally-influenced differences and similarities. The goal of this important handbook is to view assessments and rehabilitation from different perspectives, thereby offering opportunities for increasing knowledge and understanding, while improving clinical skills and laying the groundwork for establishing international and cross-culture collaborations. Clinical judgment can be colored by previous experiences from different cultures, expectancy rates of pathology among certain groups, and differences in socioeconomic levels. As clinical experiences increase with people from different cultures, the limitations of neuropsychological tools to make accurate assessments become evident. It is through gaining knowledge about the values of a different culture that neuropsychologists can develop a cross-cultural understanding.Professionals in areas such as neuropsychology, cross-cultural psychology, and social psychology, to name a few, will find the material in this volume to be a stimulating addition to existing literature.

The role of culture is significant when measuring cognitive abilities during neuropsychological assessments. However, cultural diversity is a frequently overlooked moderating variable. The International Handbook of Cross-Cultural Neuropsychology emphasizes major distinctions among cultural groups in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia to heighten awareness of nuances, as well as culturally-influenced differences and similarities. The goal of this important handbook is to view assessments and rehabilitation from different perspectives, thereby offering opportunities for increasing knowledge and understanding, while improving clinical skills and laying the groundwork for establishing international and cross-culture collaborations. Clinical judgment can be colored by previous experiences from different cultures, expectancy rates of pathology among certain groups, and differences in socioeconomic levels. As clinical experiences increase with people from different cultures, the limitations of neuropsychological tools to make accurate assessments become evident. It is through gaining knowledge about the values of a different culture that neuropsychologists can develop a cross-cultural understanding.Professionals in areas such as neuropsychology, cross-cultural psychology, and social psychology, to name a few, will find the material in this volume to be a stimulating addition to existing literature.

This book draws on findings from psychology, neurology, and genetics, to offer a multi-dimensional analysis of criminal behavior. It explores the biological bases of emotions such as aggression, anger, and hostility and how they-- combined with social psychological influences, such as family history and environmental conditions-- may lead to violence. Specific case studies, including serial killings, mass murders, family violence, cannibalism, and hitmen, are referenced throughout, providing real-world examples of these theories in action. Issues of free will and the law are discussed as well as suggestions for curbing violent behavior.

This book draws on findings from psychology, neurology, and genetics, to offer a multi-dimensional analysis of criminal behavior. It explores the biological bases of emotions such as aggression, anger, and hostility and how they-- combined with social psychological influences, such as family history and environmental conditions-- may lead to violence. Specific case studies, including serial killings, mass murders, family violence, cannibalism, and hitmen, are referenced throughout, providing real-world examples of these theories in action. Issues of free will and the law are discussed as well as suggestions for curbing violent behavior.

Neuropsychology has presented a particularly formidable array of devel­ opments during recent years. The number of methods, theoretical ap­ proaches, and publications has been steadily increasing, permitting a step-by-step approach to a deeper understanding of the tremendously complex relationships existing between brain and behavior. This volume was planned as a collection of papers that, in one way or another, present new research and clinical perspectives or interpretations about brain-behavior relationships. Some chapters present new research in specific topics, others summarize the evidence for a particular the­ oretical position, and others simply review the area and suggest new perspectives of research. Consistent with the spirit in which the book was planned, the authors present and propose new avenues for developing neuropsychology and understanding the organization of cognitive activity. Part I is devoted to basic theoretical and technical approaches in studying brain organization of cognitive processes. Hanlon and Brown ("Microgenesis: Historical Review and Current Studies") present an over­ view of some clinical and experimental work from the standpoint of mi­ crogenetic theory. Microgenesis is considered to be the structural devel­ opment of a cognition through qualitatively different stages. The authors discuss the growing dissatisfaction with both the old center and pathway theories and the newer modular or componental accounts. They also ex­ plore how micro genesis can be extended to the interpretation of symp­ toms of brain damage in developing a structural model of hierarchic levels through which the process of cognitive function unfolds.

We anticipate that these tests and norms will be particularly useful in the neuropsychological evaluation of Spanish speakers, especially those with limited educational attainment, and the elderly.

The concept of executive functioning has become central in understanding normal and abnormal cognitive processes. This timely volume analyzes the diverse conditions that can result in executive function disturbances, providing research about underlying causes, exploring the differences between developmental and acquired executive "dysfunctions," and providing approaches for the assessment of executive dysfunction both in children and in adults. In doing so, it addresses a gap in the literature in its analysis of executive function deficits and their link with psychopathology in psychiatric patients for the management of clinical symptoms and social adjustment.Among the specific topics examined:Theoretical approaches for the analysis of the diverse dysexecutive syndromesCommon executive dysfunction syndromes found during childhood development: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disordersConsequences of executive function deficits in the use of information technology Executive dysfunction and personality disordersCommon executive function tests, assessment issues in executive dysfunction, and cross-cultural and bilingual questions in assessment of executive dysfunction   Dysexecutive Syndromes: Clinical and Experimental Perspectives expertly extends the analysis of executive functions and dysfunctions from a fundamental and clinical perspective. It is essential reading for clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists, and graduate and post-graduate students in psychology, neurology, and the health neurosciences, as well as clinicians, counselors, and psychometricians working with neuropsychiatric assessment.

The concept of executive functioning has become central in understanding normal and abnormal cognitive processes. This timely volume analyzes the diverse conditions that can result in executive function disturbances, providing research about underlying causes, exploring the differences between developmental and acquired executive "dysfunctions," and providing approaches for the assessment of executive dysfunction both in children and in adults. In doing so, it addresses a gap in the literature in its analysis of executive function deficits and their link with psychopathology in psychiatric patients for the management of clinical symptoms and social adjustment.Among the specific topics examined:Theoretical approaches for the analysis of the diverse dysexecutive syndromesCommon executive dysfunction syndromes found during childhood development: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disordersConsequences of executive function deficits in the use of information technology Executive dysfunction and personality disordersCommon executive function tests, assessment issues in executive dysfunction, and cross-cultural and bilingual questions in assessment of executive dysfunction   Dysexecutive Syndromes: Clinical and Experimental Perspectives expertly extends the analysis of executive functions and dysfunctions from a fundamental and clinical perspective. It is essential reading for clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists, and graduate and post-graduate students in psychology, neurology, and the health neurosciences, as well as clinicians, counselors, and psychometricians working with neuropsychiatric assessment.

The aim of this volume is to integrate the current literature about the psychological dimensions of bilingualism: that is, to analyze psychological, subjective, and internal perspectives on bilingualism. What is the internal world of bilinguals like? How do they perceive the world and how do they think? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being bilingual? How does bilingualism interact with personality?  In what way does being bilingual impact the aging mind? Renowned and emerging scholars alike explore these questions in the collected chapters.   The organization of the book features four main component parts: (1) the inner cognitive world of the bilingual mind (2) bilingual language representation, and (3) bilingualism across the lifespan, and 4) bilingual cognitive and personality dimensions. Taken collectively, the included chapters provide a multidimensional and up-to-date perspective on bilingual studies, specifically concentrating on the cognitive andemotional dimensions of the individual. Chapter topics include: Conceptual Metaphor TheoryBilingual Figurative Language ProcessingAging in BilingualsPsychopathology in BilingualsPersonality Traits in BilingualsAddressing the growing demand for bilingual research, this collection provides a timely and much needed perspective on the bilingual as an individual, exploring his/her internal world and a range of phenomena, including emotional word processing, personality traits, language effects on the mind, and cognitive effects of bilingualism. As such, it will appeal to a wide range of readers across various intellectual and professional arenas, including cognitive psychologists, personality psychologists, psycholinguists, educational psychologists and second language teachers, among others.

The organization of the book features four main component parts: (1) the inner cognitive world of the bilingual mind (2) bilingual language representation, and (3) bilingualism across the lifespan, and 4) bilingual cognitive and personality dimensions.

This book addresses a central question: how did cognition emerge in human history? It approaches the question from a cultural-historical, neuropsychological perspective and analyses evidence on the historical origins of cognitive activity; integrates information regarding cross-cultural differences in neuropsychological performance; and discusses how adopting a historical and cultural perspective in the behavioural neurosciences can help to arrive at a better understanding of cognition. Lastly, it proposes general guidelines for future research in the area.