neuropsychology

Thân thiện

A researcher in neuropsychology examines a brain scan on a computer monitor.

Definition

Noun: The branch of psychology concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes. It studies the relationship between brain function, structure, and behavior, focusing on how damage or dysfunction in the brain affects mental processes and actions.

Usage

Neuropsychology is used as a singular, uncountable noun to refer to the scientific discipline as a whole. * Clinical assessments often rely on findings from neuropsychology. * Her research is at the intersection of cognitive science and neuropsychology.

Examples

• Neuropsychology helps us understand how a stroke in the frontal lobe can alter a person's personality and decision-making.
• A degree in neuropsychology requires a strong foundation in both biology and psychology.
• The professor specializes in the neuropsychology of memory.

Advanced Usage

• Cognitive Neuropsychology: A sub-discipline focusing on understanding normal cognitive processes (like reading or face recognition) by studying patterns of impairment in individuals with brain injuries.
  • Cognitive neuropsychology has provided detailed models of how language is organized in the brain.

Variants and Related Words

• Neuropsychological (adjective): Of or relating to neuropsychology.
  • The patient underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.
• Neuropsychologist (noun): A psychologist who specializes in neuropsychology.
  • The neuropsychologist interpreted the test results to diagnose the cognitive disorder.

Synonyms

• Biological Psychology
• Physiological Psychology
• Behavioral Neuroscience (This term often implies a stronger focus on the neural mechanisms in non-human animals, while neuropsychology is typically human-focused.)

Notes on Meaning

While closely related, neuropsychology is distinct from some neighboring fields: * It is more focused on human cognition and behavior in relation to brain function than neuroscience, which is a broader field encompassing all aspects of the nervous system. * It is more directly concerned with the functional consequences of brain states and lesions than neuroanatomy, which focuses primarily on structure.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the branch of psychology that is concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes

Từ đồng nghĩa

• physiological psychology
• psychophysiology