Biopsychology- Localisation of function- JK Flashcards
What is localisation of function?
The belief that specific areas of the brain are associated with specific functions e.g. language, memory etc
What is localisation of function also known as?
Cortical specialisation
What is hemispheric lateralisation?
The fact that the two halves of the brain aren’t alike, each hemisphere having functional specialisations, and some mental processes in the brain are mainly specialised to either the left or right hemisphere (lateralisation) e.g. left= speech & language
What is the motor cortex responsible for?
Generation of voluntary motor movements
Where is the motor cortex located & how many are there?
Frontal lobe- one in each hemisphere
What does each motor cortex do?
Motor cortex on each side controls muscles on the opposite side- different parts of each cortex control different parts, but are logically next to each other (leg control near foot)
What does the somatosensory cortex do?
Processes input from sensory receptors in the body that are sensitive to touch- produces sensations of touch, pain etc.
Where is the somatosensory cortex located & how many are there?
The parietal lobe- one in each hemisphere
Where does each somatosensory cortex receive info from?
Opposite side of the body to the hemisphere it is in
What do the auditory centres do and where are they located?
Concerned with hearing, located in temporal lobes on both sides of brain
What is the journey for the auditory cortex’ information?
Cochlea- brain stem (decoding occurs)- thalamus- auditory cortex
Where is the primary visual centre located?
The visual cortex
Where is the visual cortex located?
Occipital lobe
What is the journey for the visual cortex’ information?
Retina at back of the eye- nerve impulses go to brain via optic nerve- majority of nerve impulses terminate in thalamus- visual cortex
How big is the visual cortex (where in brain)?
Spans over both hemispheres
Where does the visual cortex get it’s info from?
Left hemisphere visual cortex = right side of visual field
Vice versa
What are the 2 language centres?
1) Broca’s area
2) Wernicke’s area
What is Wernicke’s area?
An area of the temporal lobe important in the comprehension of language
Where is Wernicke’s area located?
The posterior portion of the left temporal lobe
What runs between Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area?
A neural loop known as arcuate fasciculus
What is Broca’s area?
Area of the frontal lobe critical for speech production
Where is Broca’s area located?
Posterior portion of the frontal lobe
What support is there for localisation of function?
1) Aphasia studies- damage to different areas (e.g. Broca vs Wernicke) cause different types of aphasia
2) Brain scan evidence- different areas active
What is 1) Broca’s aphasia and 2) Wernicke’s area
1) Impaired ability to produce language
2) Impaired ability to understand language
What is equipotentiality theory?
Conflicting view- Basic motor & sensory functions are localised, but higher mental functions weren’t
Claimed other intact areas of cortex area can take over injured areas- supported by discovery that humans can regain some cognitive abilities
What else may question localisation of function?
Brain plasticity
