The Brain and Human Behavior

ion and Conceptualization refer to higher intellectual functions. Abstraction involves the ability to understand the meanings of words beyond the literal interpretation. Conceptualization involves a number of intellectual functions, including the ability to be self-aware: of one’s existence, one’s thoughts, and one’s behaviors. Deficits in these areas may be inferred during an examination, especially from overly concrete answers to questions (example: doctor: “what brought you to the hospital” patient: “an ambulance.”). These abilities can be tested through such tasks as asking a patient to identify similarities between objects (example: “how are an apple and an orange both alike.” One would expect an abstract answer such as “fruit”, as opposed to a concrete answer such as that they are both round). Often, patients are asked to interpret proverbs as a test of abstract reasoning. Examples of proverbs typically used including “The grass is greener on the other side” and “Don’t count your chicken’s before they hatch.” Harder ones include “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” and “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” In each case, it should first be explained what a proverb is (“a saying that has a broader meaning”) and an example might be given. A number of things can impair proverb interpretations besides deficits in abstract functioning: lower education (usually at least 8 years of education is expected for proverb interpretations), or a lack of cultural applicability, and these should be investigated as possibilities in a person who is having trouble with proverbs. Standardized tests. There are a number of tests designed to examine various domains of cognitive ability. An example of a commonly used one is the Folstein Mini-Mental Status exam, and this is shown below. Chapter 8. Mental Status Exam 83 Figure 8-1. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Maximum Score ORIENTATION 5 ( ) What is the (year) (season) (date) (month)? 5 ( ) Where are we (state) (country) (town or city) (hospital) (floor)?