Our 40^th Annual Arthur L. Benton Lecture

In Person & Virtual

Monday, January 27, 2025

7:00PM - 8:00PM 

Adventures in the History of Neuropsychology: New York City

William Barr, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

LOCATION:

Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

210 E. 64th Street

New York, New York 10065

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE WILL BE CAPPED AT 70 (bring ID to enter)

Zoom link to follow for virtual attendees

Abstract: This presentation will begin by making an argument for the importance of studying the history of neuropsychology. It will focus on the contributions and key developments that institutions and individuals in New York City have made to the growth of neuropsychology as a science and professional discipline. Many of the founders of neuropsychology studied or worked in New York City at some point in their careers, including Arthur Benton, Kurt Goldstein, Molly Harrower, and David Wechsler. The first neuropsychology research laboratory on the east coast was founded at New York University by Hans-Lukas Teuber and the origins of several aspects of clinical neuropsychology began in New York City including the development of intelligence and memory tests, measures of executive functioning, and the scientific study of cognitive rehabilitation. The presenter will encourage attendees to learn more about the history of neuropsychology at their respective institutions and in the field at large.

Dr. William Barr is a Professor of Neurology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine with more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice, training, and research in the field of neuropsychology. He is recently retired from his clinical position in the Department of Neurology at the NYU-Langone Medical Center where he served for many years as the Director of the Neuropsychology Division. He has served on committees and boards for various neuropsychological and psychological organizations, including a term as President of the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (SCN). His research activities have focused on studies of epilepsy and sport-related concussion. He has served as a consultant to a number of professional and collegiate sports teams and is now in private practice focusing on clinical and forensic neuropsychology. Dr. Barr has a longstanding interest in the history of neuropsychology dating back to his graduate studies at the New School for Social Research.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.      Discuss differences in quantitative versus qualitative approaches to neuropsychological assessment and their historical evolution.
• 2.      Name three key figures in the history of neuropsychology who studied or worked in New York City.
• 3.      Identify three or more neuropsychological tests that were developed by clinicians and researchers working in New York City.

DEI: Presentation will address historical limitations in neuropsychology’s attention to diversity and inclusion and will provide a brief review of studies at Columbia University that are currently addressing some of those issues.

Financial disclosures: Royalties from book on the history of neuropsychology published by Oxford Press.

References:

1. Barr, W. B. (2008). Historical development of the neuropsychological test battery. In J. E. Morgan & J. H. Ricker (Eds.), Studies on neuropsychology, neurology and cognition. Textbook of clinical neuropsychology. New York: Psychology Press
2. Barr, W.B. (2024). Historical origins of many commonly used neuropsychological tests. In W.B. Barr & L.A. Bieliauskas (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook on the History of Clinical Neuropsychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
3. Boake, C. (2002). From the Binet-Simon to the Wechsler-Bellevue: tracing the history of intelligence testing. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol, 24(3), 383-405.
4. Goldstein, G. (2024). North American Approaches – New York. In W.B. Barr & L.A. Bieliauskas (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook on the History of Clinical Neuropsychology. New York: Oxford University Press.
5. Tulsky, D. S., Saklofske, D. H., & Ricker, J. H. (2003). Historical Overview of Intelligence and Memory: Factors Influencing the Wechsler Scales. In D. S. Tulsky, D.

6. H. Saklofske, G. J. Chelune, R. J. Ivnik, A. Prifitera, R. K. Heaton, R. Bornstein, & M. F. Ledbetter (Eds.), Clinical Interpretation of the WAIS-III and WMS-III. Academic Press.

Professional Members (No CE – FREE), (1 CE* - $15.00)

Non-Members (No CE – $15.00), (1 CE* - $30.00)

Student Members: FREE

* New York Neuropsychology Group is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0107 

* New York Neuropsychology Group is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NYNG maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 

Refund Policy: Full refund will be provided if cancellation occurs up to 24 hours prior to the event. Cancellation requests made within 24 hours are non-refundable.