Motivation, Effort, and the Neural Network Model - Wasserman, Lori

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Résumé :
Our understanding of how the human brain operates and completes its essential tasks continues is fundamentally altered from what it was ten years ago. We have moved from an understanding based on the modularity of key structural components and their specialized functions to an almost diametrically opposed, highly integrated neural network model, based on a vertically organized brain dependent on small world hub principles. This new understanding completely changes how we understand essential psychological constructs such as motivation. Network modeling posits that motivation is a construct that describes a modified aspect of the operation of the human learning system that is specifically designed to cause a person to pursue a goal. Anthropologically and developmentally, these goals were initially basic, including things like food, shelter and reproduction. Over the course of time and development they develop into a complex web of extrinsic and then intrinsic goals, objectives and values. The core for all of this development is the inborn flight or fight reaction has been modified over time by a combination of inborn human temperamental characteristics and life experiences. This process of modification is, in part, based on the operation of a network based error-prediction network working in concert with the reward network to produce a system of ever evolving valuations of goals and objectives. These valuations are never truly fixed. They are constantly evolving, being modified and shaped by experience. The error prediction network and learning related networks work in concert with the limbic system to allow affect laden experiences to inform the process of valuation. These networks, operating in concert, produce a cognitive process we call motivation. Like most networks, the motivation system of networks is recruited when the task demands of the situation require them. Understanding motivation from this perspective has profound implications for many scientific disciplines in general and psychology in specific. Psychologically, this new understanding will alter how we understand client behavior in therapy and when being evaluated. This new understanding will provide direction for new therapeutic intervention for a variety of disorders of mental health. It will also inform testing practices concerning the evaluation of effort and malingering. This book is not a project in reductionism. It is the polar opposite. A neural network understanding of the operation of the human brain allows for the integration of what has come before into a comprehensive and integrated model. It will likely provide the basis for future research for years to come....

Biographie:
Dr. Ted Wasserman is board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and board certified in pediatric neuropsychology by the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He is a member of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology and the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology as a result of these board certifications. Dr. Wasserman, a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Florida, completed his doctorate at Hofstra University in 1974. He completed a one-year internship in pediatric neuropsychology at North Shore University Medical Center. Postdoctoral training was completed in Cognitive Behavior Therapy at the Institute for Advanced Study of Rational Psychotherapy under the supervision of Albert Ellis PHD. Dr. Wasserman holds memberships in the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the International Neuropsychological Society and is a founding member and past president of American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. Dr. Wasserman is the co-author of three books, Depathologizing Psychopathology, Neurocognitive Learning Therapy: Theory and Practice and Therapy and the Neural Network Model, published by Springer in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Dr. Wasserman has contributed chapters to various books on clinical issues related to family law, autism, and attention deficit disorder and learning disorders. Topics of published papers include children's development, attention, language and executive function, behavior management and cognitive behavior therapy. He has given invited lectures and provided consultation regarding pediatric neuropsychology throughout the United States and internationally. Lori Drucker Wasserman has been in clinical practice since 1982. Dr. Wasserman received her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and both her Masters and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Hofstra University. Dr. Wasserman is a licensed psychologist and is Board Certified in Pediatric Neuropsychology by the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. She is also a certified School Psychologist. Dr. Wasserman is certified as a trained examiner for the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale. Dr. Wasserman has worked at the Astor Day Treatment Center in the Bronx with children between the ages of 5 - 18 and the Early Intervention Program in Palm Beach County evaluating children between the ages of birth and three years. She has extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis and planning for children with special needs, emotional and educational concerns. Dr. Wasserman has also had extensive treatment experience in working with individuals across the life spectrum applying the practices of Neurocognitive Learning Therapy. Dr. Wasserman is the co-author of three books, Depathologizing Psychopathology, Neurocognitive Learning Therapy: Theory and Practice and Therapy and the Neural Network Model, published by Springer in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively....

Sommaire:
Dr. Ted Wasserman has authored five books and over 50 peer referenced articles on a variety of topics in neuropsychology and clinical psychology. Along with Lori Wasserman, he is the co-editor of the Neural Network series for Springer nature Publishing. This series uses neural network modeling to explain important issues in clinical neuropsychological practice. The most recent works have modeled motivation and apraxia. Dr. Wasserman, a pediatric Neuropsychologist, licensed in the State of Florida, completed his doctorate at Hofstra University in 1974. His internship in pediatric neuropsychology was completed at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island, New York. His Post-Doctoral training was completed in cognitive behavior therapy at the Institute For Advanced Study Of Rational Psychotherapy in New York City. Dr. Wasserman is in private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. He sees children from the ages of 0-18, with a full range of medical and developmental anomalies. He is particularly interested in attentional and learning disorders and their impact on school function, Autism, and Asperger's, atypical developmental delays, seizures, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Wasserman was the co-founder and past president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He was formerly the section chief of Psychology at St. Mary's Medical Center Trauma Service and the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Lori Wasserman has authored five books and over 20 peer referenced articles on a variety of topics in neuropsychology and clinical psychology. Along with Ted Wasserman, she is the co-editor of the Neural Network series for Springer Nature Publishing. This series uses neural network modeling to explain important issues in clinical neuropsychological practice. The most recent works have modeled motivation and apraxia. Dr. Wasserman holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and certification in School Psychology. She both completed her internship and remained at the Astor Day Treatment Center for a total of 10 years, working with learning disabled and emotionally impacted children who had been expelled from special education. Dr. Wasserman relocated to Florida in 1988, leading multi-disciplinary teams in the neurodevelopmental assessment of infants and toddlers through the Early Intervention Program for children between the ages of birth and five. Dr. Wasserman is a Fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology and is a past and current member of the board on American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology. Dr. Wasserman is currently in private practice in Boca Raton. Her practice provides clinical and neuropsychological assessment for children through young adults. Although originally trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy, her practice utilizes a combination of cognitive behavior therapy and neuropsychological principles which she and her partner and co-author have termed Neurocognitive Learning Theory....