Brain localisation

Question 1

The 2 AO1s

Answer 1

Localisation of function

Broca’s and Wernicke’s area

Question 2

AO1 Localisation of function
Key terms

Answer 2

• 2 halves, not entirely alike, specialisations
• left (lang, speech), right (visual, motor)
• Sperry assesed regarding corpus callosum
• 4 variations : describe what you see, recognition by touch(select most closely associated e.g. ashtray when shown cigarette)
• 11 ppt, blindfold

Question 3

What are the 4 AO3s?

Answer 3

AO3 = (-) Lashley - Law of equipotentiality

AO3 = (+) Supporting evidence - Phineas Gage

AO3 = (-) Individual differences - Harasty et al (1997)

AO3: (-) functions may not be restricted to localisation

Question 4

AO3 = (-) Lashley - Law of equipotentiality

Answer 4

For instance, Lashley’s law of equipotentiality states that higher mental processes are not localised to one brain region and stated that functional recovery is possible.

Question 5

AO3 = (+) Supporting evidence - Phineas Gage

Answer 5

Phineas Gage (1848) exemplifies this as there was damage to the frontal lobe during an accident which led to a change in personality.

evidence on front responsible for mood n personality -> credibility -> verified assumption -> more than just theoretical validty

Question 6

AO3 = (-) Individual differences - Harasty et al (1997)

Answer 6

Herasty (1997) found that women have proportionally larger Broca’s and Wernicke’s area compared to men which may explain why women tend to be better at language skills.

men n women diff- > fail to consider differences -> could be improved

Question 7

AO1: Broca’s and Wernicke’s area

Answer 7

• 19th century, particular physical n psychological functions
• all parts involved
• language left- damage = Wernickes aphasia
• sub-divided into 4 lobes, e.g. motor is frontal lobe
• auditory is frontal lobe
• broca frontal, wernickes temporal
  -broca production, wernickes comprehension

Question 8

AO3: (-) functions may not be restricted to localisation

Answer 8

Lashley’s law of equipotentiality states that when the brain has become damaged and a particular function has been compromised or lost, the surviving brain works to achieve the same neurological action and recover the function.

ignores comm between brain regions -> complex process -> simplistic -> explanatory power -> better explanation for refine? -> complexity