Localisation of function in the brain

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Psychology year 2 (Biopsychology) Flashcards on Localisation of function in the brain, created by Mollie Thompson on 11/01/2017.
Mollie Thompson
Flashcards by Mollie Thompson, updated more than 1 year ago
Mollie Thompson
Created by Mollie Thompson over 7 years ago
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Question Answer
What does localisation of function mean? It's the theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for different behaviours, processes or activities.
What is the motor area of the brain? - It's located in the frontal lobe - It's involved with regulating movement
What is the somatosensory area of the brain? - It's located in the parietal lobe - Processes sensory information like touch
What is the visual area of the brain? - Located in the occipital lobe - Receives and processes visual information
What is the auditory area of the brain? - Located in the temporal lobe - Concerned with the analysis of speech-based information
What is Broca's area? - Located in the left hemisphere, frontal lobe - Responsible for speech production
What is Wernicke's area? - Located in the left hemisphere, temporal lobe - Responsible for language comprehension
In the 19th century who found that areas of the brain are associated with different functions? Paul Broca Karl Wernicke
Before this, what did scientists support the theory of? They supported the view that the whole brain was involved in each function - holism
So, Broca and Wernicke found that if certain areas of the brain are damaged.... Certain functions associated with those areas doesn't function properley
Whats the name of the idea that the two halves or hemispheres of the brain hold different functions? Lateralisation of function
Generally, the left hemisphere of the brain controls activity on the ______ side of the body. Right
Generally, the right hemisphere of the brain controls activity on the ______ side of the body. Left
What is the outer layer of the brain called? The cerebral cortex
How thick is this part of the brain? Roughly 3mm
Why does this separate us from animals? Because animals cerebral cortex is much more underdeveloped than humans.
Why does the cortex appear grey? Because of all the location of the of cell bodies (grey matter)
What are the four lobes of the brain? - The occipital lobe - The parietal lobe - The frontal lobe - The temporal lobe
Damage to the motor area could lead to... loss of control over fine movements
Where is the occipital lobe located? At the back of the brain
What could damage to the right hemisphere cause to eyesight? Blindness in the left visual field of both eyes
Damage to the auditory area may cause... Partial hearing loss, the more extensive the damage, the more extensive the loss
What can damage to Broca area cause? Broca's asphasia
What is Broca's asphasia characterised by? Give a patient example Slow speech, lacking in fluency 'Tan' was one of Broca's patients who could could only say the word tan.
What can damage to Wernicke's area cause? Wernicke's asphasia
What is Wernicke's asphasia characterised by? Fluent but meaningless speech, nonsense words within normal sentences
EVALUATION OF LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION: (SUPPORTING RESEARCH) STRENGTH: Supporting research: Tulving et al (1994) Research found that semantic and episodic memories reside in different parts of the pre-frontal cortex So, there's scientific evidence to prove this theory -> increase validity
EVALUATION OF LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION: (NEUROSURGICAL EVIDENCE) STRENGTH: Neurosurgical evidence - Developed in the 50's with the lobotomy - Dougherty et al (2002) - 44 OCD patients who'd had cingulotomy (lesioning of cingulate gyrus) - After 32 weeks 1/3 had met criteria for successful response -Successes like these suggest that some serious mental disorders are localized and can be treated
EVALUATION OF LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN: (ANIMAL STUDIES) WEAKNESS: Animal studies Lashley (1950) - Found that higher cognitive functions involved in learning aren't localised but are distributed more holistically - Rat study - Lashley removed between 10 and 50% of cortex from brain - process of learning a maze used every part of the cortex
EVALUATION OF LOCALISATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN: (PLASTICITY) WEAKNESS: Plasticity - Plasticity suggests that if parts of the brain are damaged then the other parts chip in to achieve the same neurological action - This doesn't happen everytime BUT... - It suggests that the brain works holistically - as a whole
EXTRA EVALUATION OF LOCALISATION (Case study evidence) STRENGTH: Phineas Gage - Gage suffered an accident in which a metre-length pole hurled through Gage's left cheek, passing behind his left eye through his skull, taking a portion of brain with it - He survived but his personality changed, he became quick tempered and rude -Suggesting the frontal lobe regulates mood - supporting the theory
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