MEETING IN THE MIDDLE: LURIA’S APPROACH AND COGNITIVE APPROACH TO SPOKEN LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT IN APHASIA

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to compare and analyze two approaches to aphasia: The systemic dynamic localization of higher mental functions theory developed by A.R. Luria and neurocognitive dual-route model. To our knowledge, comparative analysis of these two theories was never done before. We found similarities between these two theories, as well as differences between them. One of the key differences is that while Luria’s approach views various symptoms as systemic consequences of a primary impairment, the dual-route model sees these symptoms as independent and unrelated. This major difference between two approaches can be explained: Luria’s approach is in line with classic “syndrome analysis” of aphasia, contrary to the cognitive approach, which assumes that classic syndromes are unable to explain all diversity of clinical symptoms

Keywords

• aphasia
• luria
• dual-route model
• speech
• neuropsychology