Chapter 14: Cognitive functions

Question 1

Lateralization

Answer 1

-Each hemisphere specialized for different functions

Question 2

Corpus callosum

Answer 2

-Primary connection between left & right hemispheres

Question 3

Contralaterally

Answer 3

• Opposite side

- Sensory input and motor control for limbs is processed this way

Question 4

Optic chiasm

Answer 4

-Half of each optic nerve crosses here

Question 5

Hemianopsia

Answer 5

• A form of neglect for one visual field

- Often caused by stroke, tumor, or trauma

Question 6

Split brained people

Answer 6

• Have corpus callosum damaged, sometimes as part of surgery to reduce seizures
• Maintain normal intellect & motivation
• Use hands more independently
• Respond differently to stimuli presented to only one side of body
• Difficulty naming objects briefly viewed in left visual field but can identify objects
• Difficulty with integrating info
  
  • Rain+bow = rainbow

Question 7

Left hemisphere

Answer 7

-Dominant for language

Question 8

Avoiding overstatements

Answer 8

• All complex tasks rely on both hemispheres
• Left/right brain difference in cognitive performance are not often linked to verifiable differences in brain functioning
• Left hemisphere may be more involved in linear thought (logic, analytical)
• Right hemisphere may be more involved in holistic thought (creative, intuitive)

Question 9

Spatial info

Answer 9

• Right hemisphere: better at comprehending spatial relationship
• Left hemisphere: focus on little details

Question 10

Emotion

Answer 10

• Right hemisphere: better at perceiving emotions
  
  • Damage: difficulty judging emotion
• Left hemisphere: damage increases ability to judge emotions

Question 11

Language

Answer 11

• Left hemisphere: dominant for language
  
  • dominant for speech production
• Right hemisphere: helps with tone & prosody of speech
• Both contribute to comprehension

Question 12

Frontal lobe

Answer 12

• Broca’s area
• Language production
• Poor pronunciation
• Content of speech: mostly nouns & verbs and omits other grammatical connectives
• Comprehension impaired if grammar related

Question 13

Termporal lobe

Answer 13

• Wernicke’s area
• Speech comprehension
• Pronunciation unimpaired
• Content of speech: grammatical but nonsensical
• Comprehension seriously impaired

Question 14

Planum temporale

Answer 14

• In temporal cortex

- Larger in left hemisphere in 65% of people

Question 15

Human language

Answer 15

• Characterized by productivity

- We produce new signals to represent new ideas

Question 16

Chimpanzees

Answer 16

• Rarely make original combinations of symbols
• Primarily used for requests
• Production better than understanding

Question 17

Bonobos

Answer 17

• Show better language comprehension than chimps
• Use symbols to describe
• Request unseen items
• Original, creative requests

Question 18

Chimps vs Bonobos?

Answer 18

• Bonobos better because:
  1. Evolutionary differences
  2. Early learning
  3. Observational learning

Question 19

Research of language

Answer 19

• Language likely evolved as a specialization
• Certain areas of human brain necessary
• Some precursors exist in other species
• Critical exposure period in childhood
• Need more precise definition for language
• Other species use language at 2-3 year old level

Question 20

Up for debate

Answer 20

1. Is language necessary for thinking?
   - We can think in pictures but need language for inner speech
2. Is language necessary for self awareness?
   - Theory of Mind may develop separately
   - Is this consciousness?