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Cultural Values Underlying Psychometric Cognitive Testing

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Abstract

It is proposed that culture (values, beliefs, styles of behavior) can affect neuropsychological testing.Cognitive testing represents a social situation that-as any social situation, it is one governed by implicit cultural rules. At least eight different culture-dependent values underlie cognitive testing: (1)One-to-one relationship, (2) Background authority, (3) Best performance, (4)Isolated environment (5) Special type of communication, (6) Speed, (7) Internal or subjective issues, and (8) The use of specific testing elements and strategies. In addition, it is proposed that“the distance” (e.g., gender, age, ethnicity) between the examiner and the examinee may potentiallyimpact the testing situation. A special analysis regarding the function of instruction in cognitive tests is also presented emphasizing that test instruction interpretation is also culture-dependent. Some potential avenues of research are finally proposed.

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  1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Florida International University, Miami, Florida

    Alfredo Ardila

  2. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Florida International University, HLS144, Miami, Florida, 33199

    Alfredo Ardila

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Ardila, A. Cultural Values Underlying Psychometric Cognitive Testing. Neuropsychol Rev 15, 185–195 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-005-9180-y

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