The assessment of higher mental functions of the Brain

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The assessment of higher mental functions of the
Brain

• Compendium of neuropsychological tests (Lezak,
  1976 - 2005)

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The assessment of higher mental functions of the
Brain

• 1. Nonstandardized clinical or experimental tests
  (trials)
• 2. Standardized NP tests (test batteries)

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An example of a nonstandardized NP test - The
set of NP trials by Lucki (1967, 1995)

• The assessement of
• Language expression/comprehension
• Abstract reasoning
• Reading
• Writing
• Arithmetic abilities
• Purposeful movements
• Memory
• Visual recognition

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Examples of standardized NP tests

• 1. WAIS-III (Wechsler et al. 1997)
• 2. RHLB (Bryan 1995)

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Wechsler Adults Intelligence Scale

• The most popular (basic) measure of intellectual
  functioning.

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The concept of intelligence by Wechsler (1944)

• Capacity of the individual to act purposefully,
  to think rationally, and to deal effectively with
  his environment.

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Features of intelligence by Wechsler

• Global
• It characterizes the individuals behaviour as a
  whole.
• Specific
• It is composed of elements or abilities that are
  qualitatively different.

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Measure of intelligence by Wechsler

• Intelligence should be measured by both
• verbal and
• performance tasks.

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VIQ PIQ FIQ

• Verbal Scale
• Vocabulary
• Similarities
• Arithmetic
• Digit Span
• Information
• Comprehension
• L-N Sequence

• Performance Scale
• Picture Completion
• Digit Symbol
• Block Design
• Matrix Reasoning
• Picture Arrang.
• Symbol Search
• Object Assembly

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Applications of the WAIS

• diagnosing giftedness
• diagnosing learning disability
• neuropsychological impairment
• LHD lower VIQ
• RHD, Subcortical D lower PIQ

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The Right Hemisphere Language Battery (Bryan,
1995)

• Metaphor Picture Test
• Metaphor Written Test
• Comprehension of Inferred Meaning
• Appreciation of Humour
• Lexical Semantic Test
• Production of Emphatic Stress
• Discourse Analysis

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Metaphor Written Test

• As usual, his idea was a dead duck.
• His idea was not at all helpful.
• He had an idea that the duck was dead.
• He thought a lot about ducks.

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Metaphor Written Test

• He had a fat chance of winning the competition.
• The fat man was in the competition.
• There was very little possibility of him winning
  the competition.
• He could win the competition if he was fat
  enough.

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Comprehension of Inferred Meaning

• They were driving along the main street of the
  city in the late evening.
• I am really hungry. Look out carefully on your
  side, John said. Ann yelled after a while
• Look there! Try to stop there!
• How many persorns were there?
• How did they travel?
• Who was driving?
• What were they looking for?

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App. of Humour

• A woman goes into a restaurant and asks the
  waiter for some soggy French fries, some cold
  peas and some greasy bacon. Im sorry madam,
  the waiter replied but we couldnt possibly give
  you anything like that. The woman replied
• - Well havent you got a cook?
• - Oh well Ill have to choose something else.
• - Why not? I had that yesterday.

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App. of Humour

• The judge had just pronounced the accused not
  quilty, when the accused asked
• When can I go leave?
• Excuse me, whats the time, now?
• Does that mean that I can keep it?

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Discourse Analysis

• Supportive Routines
• Humour
• Questions
• Assertive Routines
• Narrative
• Variety of topics
• Formality
• Turn Taking

• Meshing
• Discourse comprehension
• Prosodic Ratings
• Eye contact
• Use of gestures
• Org. of the output
• Completness of the output