2.1 and 2.2: Localisation and Neuroplasticity

Question 1

Localization

Answer 1

the idea that every behavior is associated with a specific brain region

Question 2

Strict Localization

Answer 2

the idea that there is a clear correspondence between psychological functions and brain areas, and that all functions can be clearly mapped onto the brain

Question 3

Weak Localization

Answer 3

the idea that one brain area may be responsible for a function, but not exclusively, and other areas may also take over the function

Question 4

Aim- Maguire (2000)

Answer 4

investigate how the brain structure of london taxi drivers is different from the average brain

Question 5

Method - Maguire (2000)

Answer 5

Quasi-experiment (comparison of two pre-existing groups); correlational study in the part where driving experience was correlated with grey matter volume. MRI was used to measure the variables.

Question 6

Participant- Maguire (2000)

Answer 6

16 right handed male taxi drivers, average experience as a taxi driver was 14.3 years

Control group- 50 healthy right-handed male subjects who do not drive a taxi

Question 7

Procedure- Maguire (2000)

Answer 7

MRI scans (3D image generated to demonstrate density of grey matter) were compared between drivers and non-drivers

Question 8

Results- Maguire (2000)

Answer 8

Taxi drivers had increased grey matter in the posterior hippocampus compared to the control group subjects (non-taxi drivers)

Control subjects had increased grey matter volume in the anterior hippocampus.

Question 9

Conclusion- Maguire (2000)

Answer 9

redistribution of grey matter in the hippocampus occurs in taxi drivers in response to gaining navigational experience

the posterior hippocampus is known to be involved in using previously learned spatial information, while anterior hippocampus is known to be responsible for learning new spatial information

Question 10

Aim - HM (1966)

Answer 10

better understand the effects that the surgery had had on patient HM.

Question 11

Method- HM (1966)

Answer 11

Longitudinal case study, Neurosurgeon, Dr. Scoville, performed a experimental surgery taking out most of the hippocampus and tissue from the medial temporal lobes of HM who suffered anterograde amnesia

Question 12

Results - HM (1966)

Answer 12

the hippocampus wasn’t the site of memory storage, but the site where it turns short term to long term memories

Question 13

Conclusion - HM (1966)

Answer 13

HM strongly affirms the idea of localization of function in the brain
-asserting that the function of organization of memory is localized in the hippocampus

Question 14

Aim- Draganski et al. (2004)

Answer 14

investigate whether structural changes in the brain would occur in response to practicing a simple juggling routine

Question 15

Method- Draganski et al. (2004)

Answer 15

Mixed Design measures, participants (who have no prior experience of juggling) was randomly divided into two groups: jugglers and non-jugglers

Jugglers spent 3 months learning a classic juggling routine with 3 balls followed by 3 months in which they were instructed to stop practicing. Participants in the control group never practiced juggling.

3 brain scans (MRI) were performed in both groups: one before the start of the experient, one after three months, one after six months

Question 16

Findings- Draganski et al. (2004)

Answer 16

No differences in brain structure between jugglers and non-jugglers before the experiment
After 3 months of practice, the jugglers had significantly more grey matter in the mid-temporal area of the cortex in both hemispheres

After 6 months (three months of non-practice), the differences decreased. However, the jugglers still had more grey matter in these areas than at the first brain scan

Question 17

Conclusion- Draganski et al. (2004)

Answer 17

grey matter grows in the brain in response to environmental demands (learning) and shrinks in the absence of stimulation (lack of practice). Showing that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between learning and brain structure