Cognitive assessment of Brazilian children and youth: Past and present perspectives and challenges

Abstract

The history of cognitive assessment in Brazil is described through evolutionary movements or waves, when tests were just imported and translated from other countries, criticized, and later evaluated in laboratories on test construction founded at private and state universities. The presence of high standards for test use place Brazil at the highest rank among other South American countries. Licensed psychologists conduct cognitive assessment using tests under traditional and new models to evaluate general intelligence, aptitudes, and creativity. At present, many challenges face Brazilian professionals, such as the absence of legal requirements for psychologists in the schools, which limits their possible contribution to public education. Leading researchers in school psychology in Brazil have underscored the need for higher standards for psychological training, including more specialized graduate courses on psychological assessment, in order to benefit Brazilian children and youth.

Keywords::

• assessement
• intelligence
• Latin-American
• children

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Solange Muglia Wechsler

Dr. Solange Muglia Wechsler is a professor of Psychology at Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (Sao Paulo, Brazil). She was the founder of the Brazilian School and Educational Psychology Association (ABRAPEE) and was the president of the Brazilian Institute of Psychological Assessment. (IBAP). Presently she participates at the council of the International Test Commission (ITC) representing the Iberian Latin American countries. She has many published tests, books and articles related to cognitive assessment, creativity, styles and school psychology.

Tatiana de Cassia Nakano

Dr. Tatiana de Cassia Nakano is a professor of Psychology at Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (Sao Paulo, Brazil). She is the president of the Brazilian Creativity and Innovation Association and coordinator of the task force group on assessment of cognitive psychology and creativity. She has published tests, books and articles related to high abilities, children's creativity and socioemotional abilities.