Assignment Developmental Neuropsychology
Masters Neuropsychology
University of Utrecht
Course: Developmental Neuropsychology
Course code: 20180081
Theory Part One
Part One describes the cognitive functions and associated brain areas of three
neuropsychological tasks. It will address the reliability and validity of testing in children and
differential performance in clinical groups.
Task & Neurocognitive Functions
The Apple Task involves navigating through fruit images to find as many red apples
in 60 seconds. It assesses processing speed and visual perception. Processing speed is the
time required for the brain to process and/or respond to stimuli; while visual perception is the
ability to perceive, interpret and process information through the eyes (Farroni & Menon,
2008).
The Dog Task presents images on a screen for 90 seconds in fast succession. The
child must say yes to an object but say nothing to the dog. It assesses processing speed and
inhibition. Inhibition is the ability to control automatic responses and respond based on goals
(Simpson & Riggs, 2006). Twenty of the sixty images are of the dog, therefore, reflecting the
Stop-Signal paradigm wherein the target stimulus is frequently represented, with occasional
response suppressions (Johnstone et al., 2007).
Masters Neuropsychology
University of Utrecht
Course: Developmental Neuropsychology
Course code: 20180081
Theory Part One
Part One describes the cognitive functions and associated brain areas of three
neuropsychological tasks. It will address the reliability and validity of testing in children and
differential performance in clinical groups.
Task & Neurocognitive Functions
The Apple Task involves navigating through fruit images to find as many red apples
in 60 seconds. It assesses processing speed and visual perception. Processing speed is the
time required for the brain to process and/or respond to stimuli; while visual perception is the
ability to perceive, interpret and process information through the eyes (Farroni & Menon,
2008).
The Dog Task presents images on a screen for 90 seconds in fast succession. The
child must say yes to an object but say nothing to the dog. It assesses processing speed and
inhibition. Inhibition is the ability to control automatic responses and respond based on goals
(Simpson & Riggs, 2006). Twenty of the sixty images are of the dog, therefore, reflecting the
Stop-Signal paradigm wherein the target stimulus is frequently represented, with occasional
response suppressions (Johnstone et al., 2007).
