THE STUDY OF THE SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENT BY MEANS OF A DYNAMIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL METHODOLOGY

Modern neuropsychology is currently named ''dynamic neuropsychology''. This concept implies that the brain-behaviour dichothomy should be un derstood in terms of a dinamic interphase and not as separated or isol ated dimensions. Dynamic neuropsychology integrates neurological, psyc hological and cognitive factors, taking into account the brain develop ment and the individual's own evolution process within a specific soci al, historical and cultural moment. Dynamic neuropsychology was concei ved because of the need to elaborate new evaluation techniques and reh abilitation strategies wich take into account social and environmental variables. The main focus of analysis is the relationship between neu ropsychological knowledge and everyday's life tasks, wich allow the in dividual to adapt or disadapt him self to social life. In the clinical context, the strong influence of cognitive and experimental psycholog y leads to the search of the cognitive impairments associated with neu ropsychiatric disorders. Neuropsychology, as a new branch of neuroscie nces, has evolved from a tradicional concept of a ''brain-damage or ne urological'' orientad dicipline, to a more functional one, with strong influence in the psychiatric field. Neuropsychological literature in psychiatry has enphasized on shizophrenia as the prototype of mental d isease. However, up to date, there is no specific information processi ng model, which may allow us to understand the cognitive impairments o f schizophrenic patients. A methodological issue that must be consider ed in the study of psychiatric patients are all the enviromental varia bles, such as values, beliefs and traditions, which definetely influen tiate the expression of psychopathology and determinate prognosis. The refore, dynamic neuropsychology considers social antropology as a majo r backup discipline in the field of mental health.