A psicologia como neurociência cognitiva: implicações para a compreensão dos processos básicos e suas aplicações

The present article illustrates how developments in the cognitive neurosciences may contribute to the understanding of basic psychological processes and, simultaneously, translating this understanding to applied psychology, particularly in the clinical domain. We will illustrate with examples of current programmatic lines being carried out in the different subsections of the Neuropsychophysiology Lab at the School of Psychology at the University of Minho. The methodological potentialities available in neurophysiology, neuroimagiology, neuromodulation, psychophysiology, neurobiochemistry and neurogenetics will be exemplified in their applications to language (and the understanding of schizophrenia), social-cognitive functioning (and the understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders), executive functioning (and obsessive spectrum disorders), empathy (and its implications for psychotherapy), stress mechanisms (implications for the understanding of anxiety disorders) and, finally, animal.