Lashley

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To study localization of function, specifically whether memory is localized

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• Train a rat to run through a maze without any errors in search of food
• Remove an area from the cortex after learning occurred
• Removed various portions of the cortex in different rats ranging from 10% to 50%
• The point was to see if memory was localized anywhere

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

The memory of the maze depended on the percentage of cortex but not on location

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

• Concluded that memory is not localized, as it is widely distributed across the cortex
• even if one part of the cortex is lost, other parts may take over the function of the missin part

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

• High internal validity: extraneous variables all controlled
• cause and effect relationship established
  -no researcher bias
• Lashley’s work led to further investigation into the topic
• study cannot be replicated(ethical conerns)
• low ecological validity
• low external validity- cannot be generalised to humans
  -low construct validity(No control group and didn’t properly measure localization)
• research not super reliable(many different skills involved in running a maze)