What do Behavior Neuropsychologists do?

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Secrets of the Brain

The brain: what a vast and elusive study, which is exactly what a Behavior Neuropsychologist does. Neuropsychologists seek to learn how our behavior and skills relate to the structures and the systems of the brain.

The study of the brain goes as far back as 3500 B.C. Historians credit Imhotep, a highly respected Egyptian priest and one of the first physicians recorded in history, as having written detailed accounts of different forms of trauma and abnormalities, as well as remedies that suited that time period. He had also written a comprehensive account of the body and the brain. These writings eventually played a pivotal role in the development of the studies of the mind and brain.

Body of Practice

Since the brain’s function is evaluated by objectively testing a patient’s thinking and memory skills, the main duty of a Behavior Neuropsychologist is testing, and acquiring detailed assessment of a patient. Behavioral neuropsychology is related to biological psychology and applies both principles of biology as well as physiology by studying the dysfunctions of the brain.

Scientists often are able to discover causes and solutions to many medical conditions. The behavioral neuropsychologist performs tests that are directly linked to memory or thinking, including changes in personality, concentration, organization, reasoning, language, perception or coordination. Changes in these areas could be attributed to a number of factors such as medical, psychological, neurological or genetic. By performing tests in these areas, a behavioral neuropsychologist is capable of discovering the reason for the dysfunction.

A behavior neuropsychologist performs tests on the patients general intellect, higher level executive skills, attention, concentration, language, learning, memory, perception, motor and sensory skills. The behavioral neuropsychologist will observe the patient’s mood, personality, and whether or not he or she is then able to evaluate and assess the problem. Behavior neuropsychologists will also compare a patient’s test score with large groups of healthy people to aide in determining if the patients score is within the normal range for their age and their educational level. When performing these tests, you can determine if memory changes are simply caused by normal aging and other physical conditions, or if they reflect a neurological disorder.

Applied Values

Being able to differentiate among illnesses is crucial in order to be able to treat any illness appropriately. The behavior neuropsychologist has the important skills needed to accurately diagnosis illnesses related to brain functions. Another, equally important task the behavior neuropsychologist performs is establishing a baseline that will document a patient’s skills before any problems occur, making it possible for the behavior neuropsychologist to be able to measure any later changes objectively. Along with the tests and evaluations, the behavior neuropsychologist also has the skills to determine what treatment(s) and rehabilitation is best suited for the patient.

Behavioral psychologists work anywhere there is a need, from elementary schools to health and mental clinics or doctor’s offices, although statistics show most of them being self-employed as consultants. It cannot be expressed enough how important it is to have good people skills in this profession, whether employed in the research field or working with the patients.