ABSTRACT
Neuropsychological assessments typically have multiple goals, including the detection of behavioral deficits, identifying neurobehavioral strengths and limitations, and recommending treatment or remediation. Assessment protocols involve the systematic use of clearly defined (unchanging) tests that are administered in a specific manner. Yet, even through this standardization, individuals being tested will respond or perform differently depending on multiple factors. Pekkala et al. (2009) contend that when examining neuropsychiatric testing and culture, it is not that people who belong to various cultures are fundamentally different, at least cognitively, but that the instruments used in testing may be culturally biased. Living in the mainstream culture, we frequently overlook or fail to appreciate the significance of an individual’s level of assimilation or acculturation with mainstream culture as an important factor in interpreting test results. “Those who demonstrate disparities with the dominant culture can be expected to perform less well on standardized tests and are likely to be over-pathologized” (Miles, 2002, p. 74). This can come into play when, for example, different ethnic groups have experiences or beliefs that could influence performance unrelated to brain functioning (Brickman, Cabo, & Manly, 2006). Pérez-Arce (1999, p. 584) states it effectively, “The task of cross-cultural neuropsychology is to identify and differentiate between what is universal, what is culturally variable, and what is unique to the individual.”
