Localisation Flashcards
define localisation theory
diiferent areas of the brain are responsible for different physical and psychological functions.
describe the cerberal cortex in (3 points)
- ‘tea cosy’ - covering inner parts brain
- 3mm thick
- what separates us from lower animlas = highly developed
name the 4 lobes the cortex is divided into
- frontal
- parietal
- occipital
- temporal
where is the motor area? whats is its function?
- back of frontal lobe
- controls voluntary movement
where is the somatosensory area?
what is its function?
- front of parietal lobes
- processes sensory information from the skin
where is the visual area? whats it’s function?
- occipital lobe at back of brain
- sends info from RVF (right visual field) to LVC (left visual cortex), and from LVF to RVC
where is the auditory area? what is its function?
- temporal lobe
- analyses speech-based information
where is Wernicke’s area? whats its function?
- back temporal lobe
- language comprehension
what will patients with Wrenick’s aphasia often produce?
- nonsense words (neologisms)
- fluent but meaningless speech
where is Broca’s area? whats its function?
- left frontal lobe
- speech production
what is Broca’s aphasia?
- damage to the broca area
- characterised by speech that is slow and lacking fluency
How did Broca confirm that the frontal lobe was important in speech prodcution?
From a patient named “Tan” (the only syllable that he could produce)
What could Tan do/not do?
Tan could understand spoken language but was unable to speak or write
Phineas Gage Date
1848
What happened to Gage after the accident?
He changed from being calm and reserved to someone quick tempered and rude
what conclusion was drawn from Gage’s case study?
The frontal lobe had a role in regulating mood
what does Lashley (1950) suggest about higher cognitive functions?
are not localised but distributed in a more holisitc way in the brain
how did lashley test this?
removed between 10-50% of the cortex in rats learning a maze
what law did lashley challenege localisation with?
law of equipotentiality
what is the law of equipotentiality?
when brain damaged - other areas of the brain ‘chip in’ so the same neuroligical action can be achieved
Tan and the other patients did what?
They confirmed Broca’s (1865) contention that a ‘language centre’ in the back of the left frontal lobe is crucial for speech production
