MYTHS OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

Progress in clinical neuropsychology is being made, but not at the rat e that is found in the other clinical neurosciences. One reason for th is is the unquestioned acceptance of erroneous beliefs by neuropsychol ogists. These beliefs include the following: (1) we know what our test s measure; (2) we have tests specifically sensitive to frontal lobe fu nctioning; (3) patient self-report is reliable in indicating probable cognitive status and cognitive change; (4) above-average performances on neuropsychological tests are expected when intellectual abilities a re above average; (5) most clinical neuropsychologists are unable to d o research due to a lack of time; and (6) relationships with other neu ropsychologists are of little importance. In each case, evidence is pr esented to show that these are erroneous beliefs that are limiting pro gress in our field.