Biological Approach - The Brain and Behaviour - Localisation

Question 1

Localisation of Function

Answer 1

The idea that behaviour, emotions and thought originate in the brain in specfic locations

Question 2

Hippocampus

Answer 2

A structure in the brain located in the medial temporal lobe. One in each hemisphere

Functions:
- To facilitate spatial memory in the form of navigation

Question 3

Taxi Drivers in London - Training

Answer 3

They must undergo extensive training, learning how to navigate between thousands of places in the city

Training: “being on The Knowledge”
- Takes 2 years

Question 4

MRI

Answer 4

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

In an MRI scan, the body scanned is placed in a strong magnetic field.

Radio waves are sent through, affecting the orientation of the atoms in the body

When it is turned off, the atoms go bak to their orientation which emits different energy.

A computer will then produce a 3D representation that shows the different structures of the brain
- This allows detection of sizes of structures and structural abnormalities in the brain scanned

Question 5

Maguire et al. (2000)

Answer 5

Aim:
- Investigate navigational experience and the role played
by the hippocampus in humans

Pps:

• 16 right-handed male taxi drivers
• 50 right-handed male non-taxi drivers

Procedure
- An MRI scan was made
  - 24 sagittal slices
    - 6 from anterior hippocampus 
    - 12 from the body of the hoppicampus
    - 6 from posterior hippocampus
  - for each slice the nb of pixels of hippocampus was 
    counted

Results:
- No difference in the overall volume between taxi and
non-taxi drivers
- The volume of taxi drivers’ posterior hippocampi were
significantly larger than controls
- The volume of controls’ anterior hippocampi were
significantly larger
- Positive correlation between time as taxi
driver and volume of posterior hippocampus (r=0.5)
- Negative correlation between time as taxi driver and
volume of anterior hippocampus (r=-0.6)