Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Assessment 2500-EN-S-141
n Globalization and migratory streams often face neuropsychologists with
the situation where they have to assess immigrant clients. These clients
frequently have different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. These
elements make the assessment process a challenge for the
neuropsychologist since they will affect the client’s performance and the
interpretation of neuropsychologist of that performance. Moreover,
many of the usual instruments that the neuropsychologist uses with the
local population will not be appropriate to assess these clients (this
course will have a heavy load on the importance of cross-cultural testing
and test adaptation). Thus, neuropsychologists need to develop skills to
address these kinds of assessments. The objectives of this course are that
the neuropsychologists: a) be aware of the difficulties that are inherent to
the assessment of a client from a different cultural background to the
neuropsychologist’s (language, socially accepted behaviors, test-wiseness,
appropriate tests availability); b) understand the necessary tools and skills
to address these difficulties in order to achieve an optimal outcome with
the existing resources.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students should
demonstrate knowledge of the importance of cultural variables in
neuropsychological research/practice.
Identify the most important factors influencing neuropsychological
performance cross-culturally
Describe the sources of bias in cross-cultural neuropsychological
testing
Recognize the appropriate approach for neuropsychological
assessment in a specific case
Achieve a critical reading of the articles on test adaptation
Assessment criteria
Class presentations (20%)
You will have to prepare short presentations (in small groups of 2 or 3) of
a research paper/book chapter. These presentations should not exceed
10 minutes and should be accompanied by a list of questions for their
classmates to discuss/answer.
Class participation (30%)
Active and meaningful participation consists
of (1) reading the assigned chapter before class; (2) formulating and
bringing to class at least one good discussion question based on the
reading; (3) participation in discussion.
Exam (50%)
There will be a final the last day of class.
Attendance rules
Attendance is required. Two academic hours of class may be missed
unexcused. Two more academic hours of class can be missed only with
valid excuse. Missing more than 4 academic hours of class results in
course failure. Students are responsible for making up any work missed.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: