Biopsychology

Question 1

Localisation of function in the brain

Answer 1

Strength: support from neurosurgery

Strength: brain scan evidence
Counter: lashley’s rats - learning distributed holistic

Limitation: language localisation model has been questioned

Extra: case study evidence, phineas gage, but relied on friends to report, not controlled (may have bad mood for other reasons), not generalisable

Extra: plasticity supports holistic theory, brain works together as whole, damage to left means right side compensated and becomes stronger eg for language

Question 2

Hemispheric Lateralisation and split brain research

Answer 2

Strength: lateralised brain functions in neurotypical brains

Limitation: idea of analysed versus synthesiser brain may be wrong (they have different functions but we do not have a dominant side creating a different personality)

Extra: lateralisation vs plasticity

Limitation: Kim Peek, had language centres in both hemispheres, theory too simplistic, every brain is different

Strength: support from more recent split-brain studies

Limitation: causal relationships are hard to establish (might be due to epilepsy, confounding variable) and only 11 P’s

Extra: ethics

Question 3

Plasticity and functional recovery of brain

Answer 3

Limitation: possible negative behavioural consequences eg drugs

Strength: real world application, neurorehabilitation

Limitation: related to cognitive reserve, Schneider, 40% = 16+, 10% = 12- achieved disability free recovery

Strength: case study evidence, Gabby Gifford, survived an assassination attempt in 2011, shot in head within months could walk with supervision, read, speak

Strength: life long ability

Extra: seasonal brain changes, done on animals though