The Neuropsychology of Women

The 'Diversity in Clinical Neuropsychology' series is designed to highlight cultural and moderator variables involved in the study of brain-behavior relationships. Historically, the study of psychology and neuropsychology has focused on the male brain being the standard to which all or most variables are considered. The study of sex differences is perhaps the most provoking and far-reaching aspect of diversity because frequently women have unique assessment and treatment needs. For example, frontal lobe functioning tends to be more contextual for women than for men. These brain functions have behavioral counterparts that directly relate to how interventions may be tailor made to suit the female rather than male patient.

The goal in neuropsychology is always to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, and a cohesive summary of the neuropsychology of the female brain would raise awareness and cultural competency of clinicians in neuropsychology. Authors will focus on sex differences in the neuropsychological, cognitive, and development literature; ethnic and socioeconomic variables affecting diagnosis and treatment of women; and social/emotional and behavioral manifestations of neuropsychological sex differences.

Elaine Fletcher-Janzen, Ed.D., NCSP obtained her doctorate in School Psychology from the College of William and Mary in 1993, and has been a school psychologist in the public schools and neuropsychiatric inpatient settings for the past 23 years. She is currently Visiting Professor of Psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

Dr. Fletcher-Janzen has co-edited and authored twelve books and reference works. including the Handbook of School Neuropsychology and the Handbook of Cross-Cultural Neuropsychology. She and is currently editing and writing the third edition of the Encyclopedia of Special Education and the third edition of the Handbook of Clinical Child Neuropsychology. Her current research interests are in the cross-cultural aspects of cognitive abilities, the impact of socioeconomic status on intelligence scores, neuropsychological aspects of chronic illness, and the systematic management of pediatric chronic illness in school and clinical settings.