Evolution of clinical neuropsychology: Four challenges

Abstract

Quantitative and evidence-based approaches fail to capture “the whole person,” neglect the important contributions of nonquantitative variables to understanding behavior, and have limitations when assessing individuals who fall outside traditional normative groups. The emphasis on quantitative and evidence-based practices is one challenge facing the profession. The lack of consensual definitions for various domains of interest is a second challenge, because it hinders research, poses communication challenges, and impedes the accumulation of knowledge about human behavior. A third challenge the profession faces is an overemphasis on the biological basis of behavior. Finally, the forth challenge is the impact of technology on practice. Since the 1970s, there has been a rapid advance in our ability to investigate the brain, resulting in a significant increase of information about brain functioning, making it difficult for clinicians to stay abreast of changes in the field. Advances in technology have resulted in “assessments” being completed by nonpsychologists. To place these and related challenges in context, a brief review of the history of assessment and efforts to investigate brain functioning will be presented. It is suggested that failure to meet these challenges will contribute to the demise of the profession. Suggestions for meeting these challenges are offered.

Keywords:

• Evidence-based practice
• qualitative assessment
• quantitative assessment
• neuropsychological assessment