Poverty and Brain Development During Childhood: An Approach from Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience

Poor children worldwide are at risk not only economically but also in terms of cognitive development, as foreword writer Michael Posner (emeritus, psychology, U. of Oregon) notes. Following an introduction to the multifactorial conceptualization and measurement of poverty's consequences, Argentine developmental cognitive neuroscientists Lipina (U. Nacional de San Martin, Buenos Aries) and Colombo (U. de Neurobiologia Aplicada, Clinicas "Norberto Quirno," Buenos Aries) present experimental models and research on the effects of deprivation on brain development. Recommendations, taking into account the brain's plasticity and ethical responsibilities, focus on health and educational enrichment interventions. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)