Raymond Dean - 1980s

1980s

Early in the 1980s, Dean argued that without a functional bases to tests the increase in scanning technology would have decrease the efficacy of neuropsychological assessment. His concerns were realized with both the sophistication and geometric growth of radiological scanning techniques over the past 30 years. These computer driven scanning devices such as the CT scan, and more recently the less invasive MRI,and fMRI have begun offered microscopic views of the soft tissue of the central nervous system that was not possible prior to the early 1970s when skull x-rays were the state of the art.

Dean stressed the importance of neuropsychological examinations which assesses individual functions, rehabilitation approaches as well as the method of defining adaptive behavior remaining following. Although definitive knowledge concerning the anatomical integrity of the brain may be available, individual differences are such that the specific prediction of behavioral, cognitive and emotional expression of a given lesion is rare. Moreover, Professor Dean portrayed the future of neuropsychological assessment as influenced this continuing need to understand the patient’s behavioral deficits and planning interventions. This was a clear departure from the traditional, atheoretical, accuraly bases seen in many long standing batteries. Dean’s concerns dovetailed with the work of Dr. Woodcock, Cattell and Horn known as (Gf-Gc theory) and later as the Cattell-Horn-Carroll Theory (CHC Theory) which is an empirically derived theory of multiple cognitive abilities. The Dean-Woodcock Neuropsychological Model integrated the CHC Information Processing Model and the foundations of neuropsychology measures. Neuropsychological functioning, according to this model represented an interaction of various cognitive,noncognitive,emotional and sensory motor functions. Thus, the Dean-Woodcock Neuropsychological Assessment Battery was adapted from the, integrating information processing features as a foundation for neuropsychology assessment.