Biopsychology - Localisation Of Function Flashcards
Intro to localisation of function
Idea that specific brain areas are responsible for particular functions
Key brain regions:
Motor area
Somatosensory area
Visual area
Auditory area
Motor area
Located in frontal lobe
Responsible for voluntary movements
Sends signals to muscles in the body
Somatosensory area
Located in parietal lobe
Receives incoming sensory information from the skin
Processes sensations like pressure, pain and temperature
Different parts receive messages from different body locations
Visual area
Located at the back of the brain in the occipital lobe
Receives and processes visual information
Contains different parts for processing colour, shape and movement
Auditory area
Located in temporal lobe
Responsible for analysing and processing acoustic information
Primary auditory area processes simple features of sound (loudness, tempo, pitch)
Language centres: Broca’s area
Located in left frontal lobe
Responsible for speech production
Discovered by Paul Broca studying a patient nicknamed “Tan”
Damage can lead to difficulty in speaking fluently (Broca’s aphasia)
Language centre: Wernicke’s Area
Located in left temporal lobe
Responsible for language comprehension
Discovered by Carl Wernicke
Damage can lead to difficulty understanding language(Wernicke’s aphasia)
Hemispheric lateralisation
Most brain areas span across both hemispheres
Except the language centres
Evidence from case studies of localisation
Case studies of brain-damaged patients provide evidence for localisation
“Tan” (Broca’s area) and Wernicke’s patients
Helps us understand brain function
Criticisms of localisation theory
Argue that localisation is too simplistic
Equipotentiality theory: only basic functions are localised
Higher mental functions may involve multiple brain regions
Individual differences: brain structure and function can vary between individuals
Plasticity and functional recovery
Brain has ability to reorganise and adapt
After injury, other brain areas may take over lost functions
Important for rehabilitation after brain damage
Modern research methods of the brain
fMRI, PET scans, EEG can map brain activity during tasks
