Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology explores the intricate relationship between the brain and behavior.
It's like being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, neuropsychology investigates how injuries or illnesses in the brain can affect our cognitive functions, emotions, and actions.
Imagine your brain as the control center of a spaceship, with different areas responsible for different tasks.
When something goes wrong, like a malfunction in the engine (brain injury), the spaceship (your behavior) might not function as smoothly as before.
Neuropsychology helps us understand these malfunctions and how they impact our daily lives.
Neuropsychologists use a variety of tools, such as brain scans, to get a closer look at the brain's structure and function.
They also conduct tests like the WADA test to evaluate a person's thinking, memory, and problem-solving skills.
By putting the pieces together, they create a detailed map of how the brain works and how it's affecting a person's behavior.
Neuropsychology is not just about understanding what's wrong, but also about finding ways to help people cope with their challenges.
Neuropsychologists work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as neurologists and psychiatrists, to develop treatment plans that can include therapy, medication, or rehabilitation.
The history of neuropsychology starts with early philosophers like Descartes, who first proposed the idea of the mind and body being separate entities.
Over time, the field has grown and evolved, with important contributions from scientists like Paul Broca, who discovered the area of the brain responsible for speech production.
Today, neuropsychology is a thriving field that continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of the brain and behavior.
With new technologies and techniques, we're able to explore the brain in ways that were once thought impossible.
Neuropsychology is the bridge between the brain and behavior, helping us understand how our minds work and how to help people when things go wrong.
It's a field that combines the best of science and psychology, and one that holds the key to unlocking many mysteries of the human brain.
Best books & resources
“The Master and his Emissary” by Dr. Iain McGilchrist
“The Matter With Things” by Dr. Iain McGilchrist
“Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions” by Jaak Pankseep
“Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain” by David Eagleman
“The Nature of the Beast: How Emotions Guide Us” by David J. Anderson
“Emotions Revealed” by Paul Ekman
“Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage” by Paul Ekman
“Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition” by American Psychiatric Association
“The Parasitic Mind” by Gad Saad