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Environmental Dependency

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

  • 9 Accesses

Synonyms

Imitation behavior; Pull to stimulus; Utilization behavior.

Short Description or Definition

Environmental dependency refers to instances when the visual or visuo-tactile presence of objects “compels” patients to either grasp and/or use the objects.

Categorization

Environmental dependency is usually best understood as part of greater, superordinate frontal lobe syndrome.

Epidemiology

The incidence and prevalence of environmental dependency syndrome is unknown.

Natural History, Prognostic Factors, and Outcomes

Environmental dependency syndrome or utilization behavior has not been extensively studied. Therefore, there is little information regarding natural history, prognostic factors, and outcomes.

Neuropsychology and Psychology of Environmental Dependency Syndrome

As noted above, environmental dependency refers to instances when the mere visual or visuo-tactile presence of objects “compels” patients to either grasp the object and/or use it. When patients with environmental...

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References and Readings

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Psychology, Rowan University, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA

    David J. Libon

  2. Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, University of California, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Joel Eppig

  3. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA

    Christine Nieves

Authors
  1. David J. Libon
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  2. Joel Eppig
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  3. Christine Nieves
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David J. Libon .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  2. Kessler Foundation, Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, USA

    John DeLuca

  3. Independent Practice, Wynnewood, PA, USA

    Bruce Caplan

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Libon, D.J., Eppig, J., Nieves, C. (2018). Environmental Dependency. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1621

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