Biopsychology: Lesson 6 - Localisation Of Function Evalution

Question 1

Evaluation for Localisation of function (-)

Varied localisation

Answer 1

Some functions are more localised than others 
Motor and somatosensory functions are highly localised to specific areas of the cortex
Other functions (e.g. personality) are more widely distributed

Question 2

Equipoteniality theory (Lashley 1930) (-)

Answer 2

Equipoteniality theory states that higher mental functions are not localised and that intact areas of the cortex take over responsibility for a specific cognitive function following injury to the area normally responsible

Question 3

Language is more widely distributed skill than originally thought (Dronkers et al. 2001) (-)

Answer 3

The persevered brains of two of Broca’s patients were re-examined
MRI scans revealed that several areas of the brain had been damaged
Lesions to the Broca’s area cause temporary speech disruption they do not usually result in severe disruption of language
Language is a more widely distributed skill than originally thought

Question 4

Individual differences (Bavelier et al. 1997) (-)

Answer 4

Found that there are individual differences in which brain areas are activated when a person is engaged in silent reading
They observed activity in the right temporal lobe, left frontal lobe and occipital lobe

Question 5

Communication > specific brain regions (Dejerine 1892)

Answer 5

It may be that how brain areas communicate with each other is more important than specific brain regions
Dejerine 1892 reported a patient wh could not read because of damage between the visual cortex and Wernicke’s area