Cognitive neuropsychology facts for kids

Cognitive neuropsychology is a fascinating part of cognitive psychology. It helps us understand how our brain works and how it affects our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Think of it like this: cognitive psychology studies how our brain handles things like making new memories, speaking, recognizing faces, and solving problems. Cognitive neuropsychology focuses on what happens to these abilities when someone has a brain injury or a neurological illness. Scientists in this field have learned that different parts of the brain are like special teams, each doing a specific job.

How We Study the Brain

Cognitive neuropsychology really started to grow in the late 1800s. The modern science we know today began in the 1960s. Before that, many scientists focused only on observable behaviors. But then, researchers realized they could learn a lot by studying how people's thinking changed after a brain injury. This led to a new interest in how our minds work.

Understanding Memory Through Injury

One big area of study for cognitive neuropsychologists is memory. They learned a lot by studying people with amnesia. Amnesia is when someone has trouble remembering things. Scientists found that amnesia often happened after injuries to a part of the brain called the medial temporal cortex. For example, a person with amnesia might not remember what they did yesterday. But they can still remember how to tie their shoes or recall historical facts from school. This showed scientists that different types of memory are stored in different brain areas.

Brain Lesions and Functions

Many studies in neuropsychology look at "lesions." A lesion is a damaged area in the brain. By studying people with specific lesions, scientists can figure out what that part of the brain normally does. For instance, if damage to a certain area causes problems with language, then that area is likely important for language. This helps us map out the brain's functions.

Images for kids

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  "Front and lateral view of the cranium, representing the direction in which the iron traversed its cavity..."

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  Broca's area and Wernicke's area.

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  Most of Molaison's hippocampus was removed bilaterally.

See also

In Spanish: Neuropsicología cognitiva para niños