Psychology Library Editions: Neuropsychology – serie

Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between behaviour, emotion, and cognition on the one hand, and brain function on the other. Psychology Library Editions: Neuropsychology (12 Volume set) presents titles, originally published between 1981 and 1993, covering a variety of areas within neuropsychology, a relatively new discipline at the time, as it firmly established itself within the field of psychology. It includes contributions from well-respected academics, many still active in neuropsychology today.

Originally published in 1993, the previous decade had seen considerable development in the field of neuropsychological rehabilitation following brain damage, and the use of computerized methods attracted attention and stimulated controversy. This practically-oriented text reviews representative examples from the literature at the time relating to the training of cognitive systems with the emphasis on studies describing the use of computerized methods. The topic is discussed in context and the contents include sections on cognitive change in neurological disorders, assessment techniques, the interaction between cognition and behaviour and the advantages and disadvantages of the use of microcomputers. The authors describe the evaluation of a computerized cognitive retraining programme run at the Regional Neurological Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and draw on their experience of running such programmes to give practical guidance to those wishing to set up cognitive retraining programmes.

Originally published in 1993, the previous decade had seen considerable development in the field of neuropsychological rehabilitation following brain damage, and the use of computerized methods attracted attention and stimulated controversy. This practically-oriented text reviews representative examples from the literature at the time relating to the training of cognitive systems with the emphasis on studies describing the use of computerized methods. The topic is discussed in context and the contents include sections on cognitive change in neurological disorders, assessment techniques, the interaction between cognition and behaviour and the advantages and disadvantages of the use of microcomputers. The authors describe the evaluation of a computerized cognitive retraining programme run at the Regional Neurological Centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and draw on their experience of running such programmes to give practical guidance to those wishing to set up cognitive retraining programmes.

Originally published in 1986, this stimulating and unorthodox book integrates the major findings of hemispheric research with the larger questions of how the brain stores and transmits information – the ‘brain code’. Norman Cook emphasizes how the two cerebral hemispheres communicate information over the corpus callosum, the largest single nerve tract of the human brain. Excitatory mechanisms are involved in the duplication of information between the hemispheres; in contrast, inhibitory mechanisms are implicated in the production of hemispheric asymmetries and, crucially, in high-level cognitive phenomena such as the right hemisphere’s role in providing the ‘context’ within which left hemispheric verbal information is placed. These callosal mechanisms of information transfer are not only fundamental to the brain code; they are the simplest and most easily demonstrated ways in which the neocortex ‘talks to itself’.The Brain Code demonstrates how popular topics within psychology at the time, such as laterality, hemisphere differences and the psychology of left and right, are central to further progress in understanding the human brain. This book provides stimulating reading for students of psychology, artificial intelligence and neurophysiology, as well as anyone interested in the broader question of how the brain works.

Originally published in 1986, this stimulating and unorthodox book integrates the major findings of hemispheric research with the larger questions of how the brain stores and transmits information – the ‘brain code’. Norman Cook emphasizes how the two cerebral hemispheres communicate information over the corpus callosum, the largest single nerve tract of the human brain. Excitatory mechanisms are involved in the duplication of information between the hemispheres; in contrast, inhibitory mechanisms are implicated in the production of hemispheric asymmetries and, crucially, in high-level cognitive phenomena such as the right hemisphere’s role in providing the ‘context’ within which left hemispheric verbal information is placed. These callosal mechanisms of information transfer are not only fundamental to the brain code; they are the simplest and most easily demonstrated ways in which the neocortex ‘talks to itself’.The Brain Code demonstrates how popular topics within psychology at the time, such as laterality, hemisphere differences and the psychology of left and right, are central to further progress in understanding the human brain. This book provides stimulating reading for students of psychology, artificial intelligence and neurophysiology, as well as anyone interested in the broader question of how the brain works.

Originally published in 1992, this is a wide-ranging text concerned with the principles and practice of neuropsychological assessment in adults. It combines a flexible hypothesis testing approach to assessment with information on specialised test batteries. The book covers the major areas of memory, language, perception, attention, and executive dysfunctions, and includes chapters on dementia, alcohol, drug and toxic conditions, stroke and closed head injury. Assessment of dysfunction in cases involving claims for compensation and chapters on specialised assessment techniques, including automated test procedures, are provided. The book presents a sound introduction to this complex area and gives guidelines for the clinician who may need concise information on a specialised topic.

Originally published in 1992, this is a wide-ranging text concerned with the principles and practice of neuropsychological assessment in adults. It combines a flexible hypothesis testing approach to assessment with information on specialised test batteries. The book covers the major areas of memory, language, perception, attention, and executive dysfunctions, and includes chapters on dementia, alcohol, drug and toxic conditions, stroke and closed head injury. Assessment of dysfunction in cases involving claims for compensation and chapters on specialised assessment techniques, including automated test procedures, are provided. The book presents a sound introduction to this complex area and gives guidelines for the clinician who may need concise information on a specialised topic.

For the 25 years before publication a form of therapy known as the ‘Doman-Delacato Techniques’ had been applied to children with disabilities. The therapy originated from the work of Glen Doman and Carl Delacato who established the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia. The institutes claim to be able to treat a wide range of disabilities, and their best known technique is called ‘Patterning’ and is prescribed for children who have no capacity for voluntary movement. Yet many professional bodies and associations have denounced the approach as overly-expensive, ineffective, creating false hopes, being destructive to family life and based on false theoretical assumptions.Originally published in 1988, this book was the first to offer a detailed analysis and critique of the Doman-Delacato approach. The author draws on data from evolution, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to challenge its theoretical assumptions. He shows that there is no sound scientific basis to the techniques. Any improvements in a child's condition can be attributed to the increased energy and attention given to that child, rather than the content of the programme. At the same time parents become emotionally ransomed and deluded by false expectations. Written in a style that will be accessible to non-specialists, the book is an important work for both parents and professionals concerned with the welfare of neurologically-impaired children.

For the 25 years before publication a form of therapy known as the ‘Doman-Delacato Techniques’ had been applied to children with disabilities. The therapy originated from the work of Glen Doman and Carl Delacato who established the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia. The institutes claim to be able to treat a wide range of disabilities, and their best known technique is called ‘Patterning’ and is prescribed for children who have no capacity for voluntary movement. Yet many professional bodies and associations have denounced the approach as overly-expensive, ineffective, creating false hopes, being destructive to family life and based on false theoretical assumptions.Originally published in 1988, this book was the first to offer a detailed analysis and critique of the Doman-Delacato approach. The author draws on data from evolution, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology to challenge its theoretical assumptions. He shows that there is no sound scientific basis to the techniques. Any improvements in a child's condition can be attributed to the increased energy and attention given to that child, rather than the content of the programme. At the same time parents become emotionally ransomed and deluded by false expectations. Written in a style that will be accessible to non-specialists, the book is an important work for both parents and professionals concerned with the welfare of neurologically-impaired children.

Originally published in 1987, Aphasia Therapy surveys the approaches to aphasia treatment from throughout the world that have been taken both in the past and in the present day. The authors critically examine the assumptions underlying different approaches, and show their effects on modern clinical practices. Finally, the book offers new perspectives on some contemporary issues in aphasia therapy, the effectiveness of treatment, and the relationship between an analysis of a patient’s problems and the processes of treatment. Aphasia Therapy is divided into three parts: Part 1 illustrates some approaches to treatment in the period up to World War II – for instance, a didactic approach which emphasised the importance of repetition; the second part considers the different kinds of approaches to therapy that have developed since then – seven "schools" of treatment are identified; Part 3 considers whether there is evidence that treatment of aphasia is effective: the authors argue that in future, aphasia treatment must involve the development and evaluation of specific treatment methods that are theoretically motivated by a coherent analysis of the individual patient’s problems.Students, postgraduates, and practising clinicians in speech therapy will find this volume of great interest, as will neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists.

Originally published in 1987, Aphasia Therapy surveys the approaches to aphasia treatment from throughout the world that have been taken both in the past and in the present day. The authors critically examine the assumptions underlying different approaches, and show their effects on modern clinical practices. Finally, the book offers new perspectives on some contemporary issues in aphasia therapy, the effectiveness of treatment, and the relationship between an analysis of a patient’s problems and the processes of treatment. Aphasia Therapy is divided into three parts: Part 1 illustrates some approaches to treatment in the period up to World War II – for instance, a didactic approach which emphasised the importance of repetition; the second part considers the different kinds of approaches to therapy that have developed since then – seven "schools" of treatment are identified; Part 3 considers whether there is evidence that treatment of aphasia is effective: the authors argue that in future, aphasia treatment must involve the development and evaluation of specific treatment methods that are theoretically motivated by a coherent analysis of the individual patient’s problems.Students, postgraduates, and practising clinicians in speech therapy will find this volume of great interest, as will neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists.

Originally published in 1990, this book constitutes an objective evaluation of different cognitive rehabilitation techniques in relation to different types of brain injury at different stages of recovery. Various forms of cognitive rehabilitation are reviewed and clinical techniques are evaluated on the basis of their ability to restore functional independence or produce behaviour change, and improve aspects of cognitive ability.

Originally published in 1990, this book constitutes an objective evaluation of different cognitive rehabilitation techniques in relation to different types of brain injury at different stages of recovery. Various forms of cognitive rehabilitation are reviewed and clinical techniques are evaluated on the basis of their ability to restore functional independence or produce behaviour change, and improve aspects of cognitive ability.

Originally published in 1982, about 50 years after the publication of Lashley’s Brain Mechanisms and Intelligence. The aim of this book was to review Lashley’s major contributions and to trace the development of physiological psychology through the experimental work of Lashley’s students and colleagues and those influenced by Lashley’s writings. The contributors were invited to review their own experimental work in a lecture and to indicate how Lashley’s seminal contributions might have exerted an influence in shaping or directing their thinking. This volume is the result of their efforts.

Originally published in 1982, about 50 years after the publication of Lashley’s Brain Mechanisms and Intelligence. The aim of this book was to review Lashley’s major contributions and to trace the development of physiological psychology through the experimental work of Lashley’s students and colleagues and those influenced by Lashley’s writings. The contributors were invited to review their own experimental work in a lecture and to indicate how Lashley’s seminal contributions might have exerted an influence in shaping or directing their thinking. This volume is the result of their efforts.

The extent to which a brain injured individual can resume premorbid functioning depends on factors ranging from the physiological to the psychological. Originally published in 1989, the thesis of this volume is that atheoretical application of practical techniques in clinical neuropsychology is as ill-conceived as a neuropsychological theory that fails to acknowledge the role of historical or situational context in behaviour or task performance. The chapters that follow address this thesis as experimental psychologists join clinicians in an effort to bridge the gap between theoretical abstraction and practical reality.

The extent to which a brain injured individual can resume premorbid functioning depends on factors ranging from the physiological to the psychological. Originally published in 1989, the thesis of this volume is that atheoretical application of practical techniques in clinical neuropsychology is as ill-conceived as a neuropsychological theory that fails to acknowledge the role of historical or situational context in behaviour or task performance. The chapters that follow address this thesis as experimental psychologists join clinicians in an effort to bridge the gap between theoretical abstraction and practical reality.

Originally published in 1987, interest in mathematical cognition was not new in psychology. However, it was rediscovered in the 1970s under the influential work of the Genevan School. In particular, Piaget’s work on conservation, including conservation of number, profoundly influenced developmental psychologists who, working first in the Piagetian theoretical framework, began to discover a broader set of topics in mathematical cognition. In developmental psychology, the field continued to expand and covered a wide range of topics.During the same period, however, no such evolution occurred in neuropsychology, and except for some studies around the time of publication, very little had been published on acalculia and number processing disorders. However, a more general theoretical evolution occurred in neuropsychology, mainly due to increasing collaboration between clinical and experimental neuropsychologists, on the one hand and cognitive psychologists on the other. The objective of this book was to promote an evolution in the neuropsychology of calculation and number processing deficits and thus to introduce clinical and experimental neuropsychologists, as well as developmental and cognitive psychologists, to recent research and theoretical approaches that are of particular interest for the neuropsychological approach to mathematical cognition.

Originally published in 1987, interest in mathematical cognition was not new in psychology. However, it was rediscovered in the 1970s under the influential work of the Genevan School. In particular, Piaget’s work on conservation, including conservation of number, profoundly influenced developmental psychologists who, working first in the Piagetian theoretical framework, began to discover a broader set of topics in mathematical cognition. In developmental psychology, the field continued to expand and covered a wide range of topics.During the same period, however, no such evolution occurred in neuropsychology, and except for some studies around the time of publication, very little had been published on acalculia and number processing disorders. However, a more general theoretical evolution occurred in neuropsychology, mainly due to increasing collaboration between clinical and experimental neuropsychologists, on the one hand and cognitive psychologists on the other. The objective of this book was to promote an evolution in the neuropsychology of calculation and number processing deficits and thus to introduce clinical and experimental neuropsychologists, as well as developmental and cognitive psychologists, to recent research and theoretical approaches that are of particular interest for the neuropsychological approach to mathematical cognition.

Originally published in 1989, presenting a new perspective on cognitive therapy in neuropsychology, these papers examine a cognitively-oriented, single-case methodology in neuropsychological rehabilitation. The recommended strategy is in-depth analysis of the precise nature of the impaired as well as the preserved processing components in the individual patient. The objective is to design a therapeutic course based on individual patient needs that is justified by the theoretical interpretation of the location of the deficit in his or her cognitive architecture.

Originally published in 1989, presenting a new perspective on cognitive therapy in neuropsychology, these papers examine a cognitively-oriented, single-case methodology in neuropsychological rehabilitation. The recommended strategy is in-depth analysis of the precise nature of the impaired as well as the preserved processing components in the individual patient. The objective is to design a therapeutic course based on individual patient needs that is justified by the theoretical interpretation of the location of the deficit in his or her cognitive architecture.

Originally published in 1992, this book presents original psychophysiological research based on computerized techniques of recording and evaluating event-related brain potentials. The application of multichannel magnetoencephalography greatly contributes to exact localization of corresponding neuronal generators responsible for attention. The book contains a bulk of information concerning data obtained by cognitive psychology in the area of study of attention. These results are closely linked with neurophysiological investigation of attention.

Originally published in 1992, this book presents original psychophysiological research based on computerized techniques of recording and evaluating event-related brain potentials. The application of multichannel magnetoencephalography greatly contributes to exact localization of corresponding neuronal generators responsible for attention. The book contains a bulk of information concerning data obtained by cognitive psychology in the area of study of attention. These results are closely linked with neurophysiological investigation of attention.

Originally published in 1988, neuropsychology had evolved considerably in the decade prior to publication. Methods of research had changed, new topics of interests had emerged, and there had also been an ongoing debate as to the objectives of the field. This evolution had most radically affected the study of cognitive disorders – an area that had developed particularly rapidly in the years before and that ultimately became a field of inquiry in its own right, that of cognitive neuropsychology. The contributors to this volume all share a fascination with the new perspectives for understanding how the mind works that have arisen from the study of impaired cognition. Yet, and this was very characteristic of the state of the art in cognitive neuropsychology at the time, they disagreed on many important issues, even those pertaining to the most basic assumptions of their discipline. Therefore, the first part of this book is devoted to an attempt to define and clarify these basic issues and to the confrontation of alternative views. The remaining parts present original studies on several topics of particular interest in cognitive neuropsychology.