In this theoretical contribution, led by Leonard Nigrini and Miquel Llorente (Comparative Minds Research Group, Universitat de Girona) and Federica Amici (University of Leipzig), the authors propose an alternative to "mechanistic" models in neuropsychology. Inspired by the work of Vygotsky and Holzkamp, the framework suggests that the mind should be understood not as a static system, but as a dynamic process in constant "becoming."

The article explores how complex cognitive functions emerge from the dissolution of contradictions between the organism and its environment. By analyzing concepts such as pre-adaptation and incipient forms, the authors illustrate how traits developed under ancient selective pressures provide the biological foundation for novel psychic processes, such as language or consciousness.

Methodologically, the study advocates for the use of the Method of Double Stimulation and the analysis of Disruption of Functional Systems. These tools allow researchers to observe how environmental conditions are internalized and how ancient neural units obtain new functionalities within more recent, culturally mediated systems.

This publication aligns with our group’s objective of bridging the gap between evolutionary biology and the socio-cultural nature of the human mind, providing a robust theoretical foundation for future comparative research.

The article is available at:

Nigrini, L., Amici, F., & Llorente, M. (2026). In Search for a Dialectical Methodology in Neuropsychology: Approaching Psychic Processes Through Their Phylogenetic History of Rising in Contradictions. Culture & Psychology.