Biopysch: Localisation of function in the brain

Question 1

Overview of brain structure

Answer 1

• divided into left and right hemispheres
• The right hemisphere controls input & output from the left side of the body and vice versa
• Brain is further divided into lobes (frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital)
• Brain is covered by a 3mm thick layer called cerebral cortex

Question 2

What are the localised functions

Answer 2

Auditory area - Based in the temporal lobe, hears/analyse speech based information
Broca’s area - Based in left frontal lobe, produces speech, damage causes aphasia
Wernicke’s area - Based in left temporal lobe, comprehension of language, damage causes nonsensical speech & misunderstanding
Motor area - Based in frontal lobe, regulates movement
Somatosenory area - Based in parietal lobe, processes sensory info
Visual cortex - Based in occipital lobe, receives & processes visual info

Question 3

Evaluation: strength

Answer 3

Support comes from brain scans & measuring brain activity. E.g Petersen et al found Wernicke’s area was active during listening/comprehension task.

Question 4

Evaluation: strength

Answer 4

Evidence comes from neurosurgery - extreme OCD & depression treated by damaging the cingulate gyrus

Question 5

Evaluation: strength

Answer 5

Further support comes from Phineas Gage - prefrontal cortex damaged by iron bar - regulated his mood and temperament.

Question 6

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 6

Some brain functions are too complex to localise (learning). Lashley -part of rats brains were removed whilst learning & there is no evidence that the brain is localised.

Question 7

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 7

Plasticity - stroke patients are able to recover their speech over time. This affects the validity