Alexander R. Luria

Eftersom sproget udvikles samtidig med barnets almindelige modning og udvikling, har det forekommet næsten umuligt at fastslå, hvilken specifik indflydelse barnets tale har udøvet på udviklingen af mentale processer. Derfor må de sjældne lejligheder særligt værdsættes, hvor specielle forhold sætter forskerne i stand til at udskille sprogfaktoren og gennem pædagogisk eksperiment studere dens isolerede indflydelse. Professor Alexander R. Luria og hans kollega, dr. Faina J. Judovic gør i Sproget og barnets udvikling rede for en systematisk undersøgelse af sprogudviklingen hos et par enæggede tvillinger. Selv om den situation, de beskriver, er yderst usædvanlig, illustrerer deres resultater smukt sprogets rolle – ikke blot i den sociale kommunikation, men som forståelsesfremmende og handlingsstyrende, og derved at det muliggør væksten af realistiske begreber om den ydre verden. De kaster også interessant lys over den rolle, henholdsvis arv og miljø spiller i det mentale livs vækst. Deres arbejde er et bemærkelsesværdigt bidrag til den eksperimentelle sprogpsykologi. Sproget og barnets udvikling henvender sig til pædagoger, lingvister, neurologer, psykologer og psykiatere, som er interesseret i en videnskabelig udforskning af sprog og taleforstyrrelser og i en bedre forståelse af sprogets struktur. Sproget og barnets udvikling udkom første gang på dansk i 1971. Bogen genudgives nu i Hans Reitzels Forlags serie Klassikere.

Alexander Luria was one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. His official autobiography was written as a citizen of the Soviet Union, and while it provides a compelling story of his lifelong devotion to developing a comprehensive theory of the biological and cultural foundations of human nature, it is conspicuous for the absence of information about the social context of his work and his personal struggles to be a decent person in indecent times. The current "dialogic autobiography" brings the vitality of Luria's ideas back to life. Michael Cole and Karl Levitin, both of whom knew Luria well and have written about his life and work, have written a carefully researched introduction and epilogue to the original autobiography. They provide readers, for the first time, with information about the social and personal contexts of Luria's remarkable achievements. Their account is supplemented by downloadable resources with reminiscences of leading psychologists from around the world who knew and worked with Luria. At last, Luria's life and science are brought together in a single volume. The book will appeal to psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other scientists interested in Luria's life achievements.

Alexander Luria was one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. His official autobiography was written as a citizen of the Soviet Union, and while it provides a compelling story of his lifelong devotion to developing a comprehensive theory of the biological and cultural foundations of human nature, it is conspicuous for the absence of information about the social context of his work and his personal struggles to be a decent person in indecent times. The current "dialogic autobiography" brings the vitality of Luria's ideas back to life. Michael Cole and Karl Levitin, both of whom knew Luria well and have written about his life and work, have written a carefully researched introduction and epilogue to the original autobiography. They provide readers, for the first time, with information about the social and personal contexts of Luria's remarkable achievements. Their account is supplemented by downloadable resources with reminiscences of leading psychologists from around the world who knew and worked with Luria. At last, Luria's life and science are brought together in a single volume. The book will appeal to psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other scientists interested in Luria's life achievements.

En splintret verden er en populærvidenskabelig indføring i neuropsykologien, dvs. videnskaben om, hvordan hjernen er opbygget og hvorledes den fungerer. Luria tager sit udgangspunkt i en enkelt patient, Zasetsky, som under kampene på Østfronten under 2. verdenskrig blev ramt af en granatsplint. Den beskadigede hans ene hjernehalvdel og resulterede i et massivt og varigt hukommelsestab. Gennem 25 år fulgte Luria Zasetskys heroiske, men håbløse forsøg på at opnå forbindelse til sin tabte identitet. Bogen er bygget op omkring uddrag fra de dagbøger, som Zasetsky skrev med stort besvær. Heri fortæller han om den mærkværdige verden, han er henvist til at leve i. Mellem disse uddrag fra dagbøgerne har Luria indsat en række afsnit, hvori han dels fortæller om Zasetskys forhold, dels sætter hans problemer i relation til neuropsykologiens forskningsresultater.

The book is the outcome of seven years' experimentation with conflicts in the human mind, during which time artificial complexes were set up in normal adults, children, and neurotic personalities, and then resolved. Dr. Luria gives a remarkable description and interpretation of the mechanisms lying at the basis of behavior disorganization and offers an experimental approach to the laws of human behavior.