PSY1928

This first-year seminar course introduces students to the field of clinical neuropsychology through the use of notable case studies. According to the American Psychological Association, the sub-discipline of clinical neuropsychology is focused on (a) understanding associations between brain and behavior, particularly in terms of how these associations can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder, (b) the assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning from a brain-behavior perspective, and (c) the design of effective treatment strategies to help individuals who have experienced brain injuries/disorders. From a historical perspective, we have learned a great deal about how the human brain is organized and how it can functionally reorganize itself after injury from case studies, several of which resulted in major theoretical breakthroughs following their publication.

For example, Phineas Gage was a railroad worker who lived in the late 1800’s. He sustained a gruesome injury when a dynamite explosion propelled an iron rod through the frontal lobe of his brain, resulting in damage to that region. The case is notable given that he survived this injury with most cognitive functions intact, but he was left with deficits in social and emotional behavior, a pattern of poor decision-making, and lack of judgement. This case contributed to the field’s understanding of how the frontal regions of the brain help us to regulate behavior. Another example concerns Alzheimer’s Disease, a devastating illness that has resulted in a significant public health burden, which is due to degeneration of brain regions that control attention, learning, and memory. The profound deficits that result raise questions about the biological locus of one’s personhood and the extent to which quality of life can be sustained in the midst of illness. Many exemplars, such as the case of congresswoman Gabby Giffords, indicate ways in which individuals can recover from injury, learning how to use intact areas of function to compensate for areas that have been damaged. Within this course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of brain-behavior relationships through the analysis of various case histories that will be presented through readings, didactic presentations, video clips, and films.

There are no prerequisites. During each week of the course, students will be required to read one or more chapters or journal articles relevant to the topic of the week. Class periods will be used to provide additional didactic information regarding the case being discussed. Video clips and films will be used to augment these presentations. At least one guest speaker will be invited to join the class to discuss this area of psychology, how students can prepare themselves for careers in clinical neuropsychology, and related professional development topics. Students will work in small groups to discuss aspects of the presented case and will respond to discussion prompts regarding how to think about the significance of the material.

001475

Periodic Fall