Historical Development of Human Cognition - A Cultural-Historical Neuropsychological Perspective

This book addresses a central question: how did cognition emerge in human history? It approaches the question from a cultural-historical, neuropsychological perspective and analyses evidence on the historical origins of cognitive activity; integrates information regarding cross-cultural differences in neuropsychological performance; and discusses how adopting a historical and cultural perspective in the behavioural neurosciences can help to arrive at a better understanding of cognition. Lastly, it proposes general guidelines for future research in the area.

List of contents

1 Introduction.- 2 Origins of Language.- 3 Origins of Spatial Abilities.- 4 Origins of Writing.- 5 Origins of Calculation Abilities.- 6 Origins of Executive Functions.- 7 Culture and Cognitive Testing.- 8 Toward the Future.

About the author

Alfredo Ardila is a psychologist at the National University of Colombia. He completed his PhD in Neuropsychology at Moscow State University, where he worked with Alexander Romanovich Luria. He has been a professor of neuropsychology in various countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Serbia, Chile and Venezuela. Currently Ardila is a Professor at Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA. He is the author of over 400 journal papers and book chapters, and has authored or edited 30 books in the cognitive neurosciences and related areas. He has been president of several professional associations, including the Latin American Association of Neuropsychology, Latin American Society of Neuropsychology, and Hispanic Neuropsychological Society. Currently he is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Neuropsicología, Neuropsiquiatría y Neurociencias.

Summary

Analyses the historical origins of cognitive activities
Explains how major cultural variables affect neuropsychological test performance
Provides suggestions on how adopting a cultural-historical approach in neuropsychology can help to better understand human cognition

Product details

• Authors: Alfredo Ardila
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2017
• EAN: 9789811068867
• ISBN: 978-981-10-6886-7
• No. of pages: 174
• Dimensions: 164 mm x 242 mm x 16 mm
• Weight: 403 g
• Illustrations: XV, 174 p. 17 illus., 1 illus. in color.
• Series: Perspectives in Cultural-Historical Research; Perspectives in Cultural-Historical Research
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Applied psychology; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Applied psychology; Sozialpsychologie, B, Kognitive Psychologie, Education, Biopsychologie, Physiologische Psychologie, Neuropsychologie, Educational psychology, Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology, Cognition & cognitive psychology, Social, group or collective psychology, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, cross-cultural psychology, Education—Psychology, Cross Cultural Psychology, cultural historical research