Psychological Concepts of Activity Theory in Child Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is the part of psychology, which studies the relation between psychological and brain level of organization of human activity. It is possible to identify specific mechanisms or components of psychological processes related to the functioning of special brain zones. Such a study can be based on different general psychological theories. From the point of view of activity theory approach these components can be understood as psycho-physiological structural and systemic mechanisms of actions and operations fulfilled by a subject in the context of one or another general activity. In other words, neuropsychological level of analyses could be understood as the elementary level of human activity. Neuropsychological analysis can be organized as assessment of actions and not of isolated functions. The present study shows how functional disorders of psychophysiological mechanisms can affect the fulfillment of the same actions of children with learning disabilities. The discussion stresses the importance of inclusion of the terms of activity theory to the practice in neuropsychology

Stages for Introduction of Drawing Actions in Pre-School Age

The process of learning and achievements at school depends on the types of activities selected at pre-school level. Unfortunately, it is often to find out that introduction of writing and reading is among the most common activities in pre-school institutions all over the world. According to historical and cultural conception of development, artistic and creative activities are useful and helpful at pre-school age. The goal of the article is to show the efficiency of original program for initial introduction of drawing actions at pre-school age. The original program for gradual formation of drawing by stages was applied in private college in Puebla (Mexico). The program included three stages and worked as joint activities in groups of pre-scholars of three grades. After program application children showed qualitative positive achievements in graphic representations of objects, spatial orientation, number of drawings and of essential features of represented real and imaginary objects and situations. We conclude that drawing is extremely useful activity for preparation for school and introducing space orientation on perceptive level. Our program may be used in pre-school institutions in order to guarantee required level psychological development at pre-school age

Exigencias que impone a maestros y alumnos el principio didáctico de la vinculación teoría-práctica en carreras de ingeniería.

En este trabajo se muestra la importancia del principio didáctico de la vinculación teoría-práctica en carreras universitarias relacionadas con la ingeniería, a través de las exigencias que el mismo le plantea tanto al maestro como al alumno, entre otras, relacionar las materias con la actividad práctica y enseñar al alumno a fundamentar teóricamente lo realizado en la práctica; se ejemplifica con la carrera de Técnico superior Universitario en mecatrónica en el Tecnológico Universitario del Valle de Chalco (TUVCH), Estado de México. Se hacen observaciones sobre la implementación del Principio en la actividad docente

Program for solving problems as method for development of logic thinking in school children

The goal of the present work is to show the method for teaching the process of solving problems in primary school. The program created on such purpose, consider logical structure of the process of solution and the content of orientation. Participants of the study were regular pupils of private primary school from the city of Puebla, Mexico. The children were tested before and after participation in the program. Qualitative assessment included the tasks for logical relations and problems solution. The program was applied during 30 sessions in classroom. The teaching process was modeled asjoined activity between teachers and pupils. The results showed that the program wasuseful for positive development of mathematical and logical thinking. After participation in the program, the pupils could solve the problems and relate mathematics data to the verbal text of the problems, which had not been observed during the initial assessment. As conclusions, we argue for the necessity to create exact and specific guided orientation to construct mathematics sessions in classrooms in primary school. At the level of modern development of historical and cultural approach, the concept of the zone of proximal development might be related to orientation as essential part of intellectual activity

Luria’s syndrome analysis for neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation

Introduction. Neuropsychology, as a science, studies various possible relationships between psychological processes and the brain in cases of both normality and diverse pathologies. Such relationships might be established and understood in different manners. Background. A.R. Luria proposed a unique and specific approach by identifying different brain units. His conception is not completely understood, and is even less used in diagnosis and rehabilitation today. His conception of the systemic and dynamic representation of human actions in functional brain systems is the background for our study. Psychological conceptions of the stage-by-stage formation and orientation for action, and their use in rehabilitation, are taken into account. Objective. The objective of our report is to share our application of Luria’s methodology of syndrome analysis through the presentation of the results of assessment and rehabilitation. Design. Our study presents a unique case, along with data on the person’s assessment and rehabilitation, specifically, a qualitative assessment of an adolescent patient with severe brain injury. Results. The assessment identified severe problems in the patient’s programming and self-control functions, together with spatial disorganization. The process of neuropsychological rehabilitation, as applied in two stages, showed positive effects on the activity and personality of the patient. Goals, stages, and examples of formation of actions in rehabilitation, with their results, are described. Conclusion. We conclude that the systemic and dynamic approach in neuropsychology might be applied to assessment and rehabilitation. We discuss the necessity of establishing bridges between the psychological theory of actions (rather than functions) and the systemic representation of actions by functional brain systems

Qualitative neuropsychological assessment of children

Qualitative assessment is an essential method of clinical neuropsychology. According to conceptual bases of historical and cultural neuropsychology, qualitative assessment should include analysis of the neuropsychological syndrome in each particular case. The paper presents the method for qualitative neuropsychological assessment created for children in Mexico for Spanish.speaking population aged 5–12 with the help of the Scheme for “Brief Neuropsychological Assessment for Children”. The structure and the ways for analysis of clinical data are included. The conclusions mention the possible applications of this instrument

Propuesta innovadora para la introducción de la lectura en la escuela primaria

El problema de la enseñanza de la lectura es de gran importancia para el sistema educativo. El artículo presenta un método innovador para la introducción de la lectura, basado en el paradigma histórico-cultural y la teoría de la actividad. La lectura se concibe como actividad verbal que cumple diversas funciones en la vida, mientras que  la enseñanza se da como formación de las acciones mentales por etapas en forma colectiva y guida. El método permite evitar errores y favorecer los motivos cognitivos del niño

Papel dual de la leptina en la obesidad

Obesity is a global health problem, whose origin may be due to affectations of eating behavior, genetics and/or cultural. As a result of the excessive accumulation of fat in the body that goes beyond organic needs, obesity occurs. An excessive appetite generates an energy imbalance with its consequent weight gain and that can be caused by the hypothalamus when it does not receive the appropriate signals. Leptin is a hormone produced by adipocytes that normally reaches the hypothalamus via the blood and binds to its specific receptor, inducing the synthesis and secretion of anorexigenic neuropeptides, responsible for inhibiting appetite. However, when its quality, quantity or leptin receptors are not at a functional level, hyperphagia occurs, generating obesity. Leptin therapy for obese patients seems to be a viable alternative to establish a better energy balance. Likewise, low or high levels of leptin, have been correlated both with a chronic inflammatory process, as well as a reduction in the immune response and, therefore, greater susceptibility to infections. A better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate appetite, energy homeostasis and its implication in obesity are perhaps the main challenges with an impact on world health.La obesidad es un problema de salud mundial, cuyo origen puede ser debida a afectaciones de comportamiento alimentario, genéticas y/o culturales. Como resultado de la acumulación excesiva de grasa en el cuerpo que va más allá de las necesidades orgánicas, se produce la obesidad. Un apetito desmedido genera un desbalance energético con su consecuente aumento de peso y que puede ser causado por el hipotálamo cuando no recibe las señales adecuadas. La leptina es una hormona producida por los adipocitos y que normalmente llega al hipotálamo por vía sanguínea y se une a su receptor específico, induciendo la síntesis y secreción de neuropéptidos anorexigénicos, responsables de la inhibición del apetito. Sin embargo, cuando su calidad, cantidad o receptores de la leptina no están a nivel funcional, se produce una hiperfagia generando obesidad. La terapia con leptina para pacientes obesos parece ser una alternativa viable para establecer un mejor balance energético. Así mismo, se ha correlacionado niveles bajos y altos de leptina tanto con un proceso inflamatorio crónico como con una reducción de la respuesta inmune y, por tanto, mayor susceptibilidad a infecciones. Una mayor comprensión de los mecanismos que regulan el apetito, la homeostasis energética y su implicación en la obesidad son de los principales retos de impacto en la salud mundial

MODELOS NO LINEALES DE EVOLUCIÓN DE TUMORES CANCEROSOS

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Efectos del juego de roles sobre la interiorización de acciones objetales y simbólicas en preescolares

The importance of activity of social role play as a leading activity in the assimilation of the human culture experience is well known in historical-cultural psychology. The current article aims to show how objectal and symbolic actions turn into operations during the social role play activity at pre-school age. Two assessments of the level of formation of actions in play activity took place in the study- at the beginning and at the end of a scholar year-. The analysis of frequency and complexity of actions allowed to conclude that the internalization of the objectal and symbolic actions conduct to reflection and consciousness of the social relationship represented in the role. Also, qualitative changes were observed in the development of voluntary activity, imagination and reflexive thought.En la psicología histórico-cultural, es reconocido el papel de la actividad rectora de juego de roles para la asimilación de la experiencia cultural humana. Este artículo tiene el objetivo de demostrar cómo las acciones objetales y simbólicas pasan a nivel de operaciones durante la actividad de juego. Se realizaron dos evaluaciones a través de sesiones individuales de juego con niños preescolares, al inicio y al final del ciclo escolar. El análisis de frecuencia y complejidad de las acciones permitió concluir que la interiorización de las acciones objetales y simbólicas favorece la concientización de las relaciones sociales representadas en los roles. Además, se observaron cambios cualitativos en el desarrollo de la actividad voluntaria, de la imaginación y del pensamiento reflexivo