Abstract

Introduction: Culture has a significant influence on early childhood cognitive development; however, few studies have been reported in Cuba focused on comparing neuropsychological performance in different provinces. Objectives: Determine the cultural differences in the execution of neuropsychological tests between a group of preschoolers with typical development in the province of Cienfuegos, and another one in Sancti Spíritus, as well as to identify the neuropsychological functions that influence on intellectual performance. Methodology: 67 children were selected and subdivided into groups. Raven’s Progressive Matrix Intelligence Tests and the Luria Initial Neuropsychological Battery were applied as neuropsychological evaluation instruments. Results: Significant differences in intelligence and various neuropsychological functions were found between provinces. The neuropsychological variables that influence on intellectual performance vary depending on the cultural groups. Conclusions. The results show that cultural differences impose a different pattern of cognitive development between preschoolers from Cienfuegos and Santi Spíritus. In particular, differences were observed in non-verbal intelligence and in neuropsychological variables, such as fine motor skills, spatial orientation, processing speed and linguistic variables (semantic and phonological).