Functional neuroanatomy focuses on the study of anatomy using psychological measures. One application of this kind of research is to help medical professionals anticipate problems a patient might experience following brain injury. Clinical neuroscience concerns the study of clinical populations to better understand neuroanatomy and to test psychological theories. A clinical neuroscientist often works in a hospital setting. Another way that researchers in these various disciplines differ is in the methodological techniques they use.
Neuroscientists primarily look at animals and study the chemistry or biology of neurons.
A clinical neuroscientist studies people who have suffered some kind of brain damage. These scientists look at the kinds of cognitive tasks people with damage to the nervous system can and cannot do. Psychophysiologists often study the response of the body to different mental events. As you begin this course, it is important to understand how diverse the area of neuropsychology is. Because of the variety of researchers, our understanding of the relationship between the brain and behavior continues to advance and is, in this author's estimation, one of the most exciting areas in contemporary psychology.