Gianfranco Denes – författare

The domain of neuroscience has had one of the most explosive growths in recent decades: within this development there has been a remarkable and renewed interest in the study of the relations between behaviour and the central nervous system. Part of this new attention is connected with the contribution of new technologies (PET, fMRI) permitting more precise mapping of neural structures responsible for cognitive functions and the development of new theoretical models of mental activities.The diffusion of new pathologies (for example the pattern of cognitive impairment associated with AIDS) has further enlarged the field of clinical neuropsychology. Finally there has been an expanding clinical interest in the understanding and management of age-related cognitive changes.This volume is the translated and updated version of the second edition of Manuale di Neuropsicologia (Zanichelli, 1996), by the same authors, and it reflects the current status of the art. It is intended to blend clinical and theoretical aspects of neuropsychology. The first part discusses the instrumental and clinical methods of investigation in neuropsychology, together with their development. A long section is dedicated to the language and memory disorders. The impairment of non-verbal cognitve functions, such as the disorders of space orientation, of of visuo-perceptive abilities, and of the emotions and attention, are extensively discussed. The pattern of degenerative dementias is thorougly described, as e is thoroughly described, as well as a number of new topics, such as a neuropsychological approach to consciousness. Finally, perspectives for treatment of some cognitive disorders are outlined.

This accessible yet scholarly book focuses on the study of the psychology of lying and misrepresentation, exploring the analysis of the cognitive and neural mechanisms that allow the construction of a false response, both consciously and as a consequence of a brain injury. Drawing on perspectives from experimental, neuropsychological and developmental psychology as well as philosophy, the book examines the mechanisms that allow us all to learn to lie and use lies for different ends and in everyday life.The Psychology of Lying and Misrepresentations opens with an introductory chapter on lies and the processes underlying their production. It goes on to examine our innate desire to believe, and the clinical and technical methods used to determine whether someone is lying or telling the truth. The book takes a closer look at false memories and self-deception and the reasons behind their establishment and success in an individual’s life. It then moves on from focusing on the individual to discuss the lies directed towards the collective and puts forth the questions around false news and its sustenance over time. The concluding chapters focus on memory disorders resulting from brain damage and false beliefs resulting from an expression of functional damage to specific neural systems.This book will be of value to researchers in a range of disciplines interested in all aspects of lying, deception, and misrepresentation, as well as experts in forensic study.

This accessible yet scholarly book focuses on the study of the psychology of lying and misrepresentation, exploring the analysis of the cognitive and neural mechanisms that allow the construction of a false response, both consciously and as a consequence of a brain injury. Drawing on perspectives from experimental, neuropsychological and developmental psychology as well as philosophy, the book examines the mechanisms that allow us all to learn to lie and use lies for different ends and in everyday life.The Psychology of Lying and Misrepresentations opens with an introductory chapter on lies and the processes underlying their production. It goes on to examine our innate desire to believe, and the clinical and technical methods used to determine whether someone is lying or telling the truth. The book takes a closer look at false memories and self-deception and the reasons behind their establishment and success in an individual’s life. It then moves on from focusing on the individual to discuss the lies directed towards the collective and puts forth the questions around false news and its sustenance over time. The concluding chapters focus on memory disorders resulting from brain damage and false beliefs resulting from an expression of functional damage to specific neural systems.This book will be of value to researchers in a range of disciplines interested in all aspects of lying, deception, and misrepresentation, as well as experts in forensic study.

The origin, development, and nature of language has been the focus of theoretical debate among philosophers for many centuries. Following the pioneering clinical observations 150 years ago of loss of language following a cerebral lesion, language started to be considered a biological system, that could be investigated scientifically. As a consequence, an increasing number of scientists began to search for its anatomical and functional basis and its links with other such cognitive systems. The relatively recent introduction of neuroimaging tools, such as PET and fMRI, has brought rapid and groundbreaking developments to the field of Neurolinguistics. In this book, Denes harnesses these advances to adopt a biolinguistic approach to the study of a subject that increasingly sees the collaboration of linguists, experimental psychologists, neuroscientists and clinicians. Talking Heads reviews the latest research to provide a concise analysis of the multifaceted aspects of language which focuses both on theoretical aspects and physical implementation. Following an up-to-date description of acquired language disorders, and their contribution to the design of a functional architecture of language, the book illustrates the neurological process involved in the production and comprehension of spoken and written language, as well as investigating the neurological and functional systems responsible for sign language production and first and second language acquisition.With a glossary of the anatomical and linguistic terms, this book provides an invaluable resource to undergraduate and graduate students of psychology, psycholinguistics and linguistics.

Neural Plasticity Across the Lifespan reviews the recent scientific developments which are transforming our understanding of the human brain. For many years it was thought that modifications to the structural and functional organization of the brain were limited to a short early period of life, "the critical period", and, in adults, to the memory system. Recent research suggests that on the contrary we should see the human brain as a flexible structure, which adapts and modifies in response to learning, sensory experience, age and disease.The book provides an integrated overview of contemporary research on neural plasticity - the process by which the brain can change in structure and function to cope with new experiences and react to the effects of acquired damage or sensory deprivation. It reviews data on plasticity in the developing brain, looking at both typical and atypical development, alongside clinical and observational research on the adult population. It covers a number of key topics, including: different forms of neural plasticity factors affecting neural plasticity (ageing and gender), neural plasticity in language acquisition, memory and bodily self-consciousness mechanisms of repair – plasticity following sensory deprivation and acquired brain damage.This is an accessible overview of an emerging field of research which has fundamental implications for how we perceive our potential to change throughout our lives. It will be essential reading for all students of cognitive development, cognitive neuroscience and lifespan development.