Evaluation of Localisation of Function

Evaluation of Localisation of Function

SUPPORT

CHALLENGE

ANIMAL RESEARCH

CASE STUDY

Phineas Cage- Metal Rod through head

Went through prefrontal cortex an area responsible for personality.

Accounts say his personality changed after the accident supporting LOF.

HOWEVER, very individual case study so can't be generalised

Study suffers from temporal validity issues because the research is based on sketchy accounts

Research into the effects of removal of brain matter would have on a rats ability to remember a maze pattern

Learning is too complicated and requires the involvement of the whole brain

HOWEVER, rats brains are biologically different from humans (less grey matter) therefore, research can't be generalised.

PLASTICITY RESEARCH

Case studies of children born with only one hemisphere have shown that it is possible to function normal lives with only one half of the brain.

This limits the theory that localisation can only occur in certain parts of the brain.