localisation of function Flashcards
what is meant by the term localisation of function
the belief that different parts of the brain are associated with specific cognitive processes
what parts of the brain are associated with motor and somatosensory areas
1) the motor cortex
2) The somatosensory cortex
what is the motor cortex and where is it located
located in the frontal region of the brain associated with the generation of voluntary motor movements
both hemispheres have a motor cortex which control opposite sides of the body
what is the somatosensory cortex and where is it located
located in the parietal lobe of the brain it is responsible for detecting sensory information from different parts of the body
located in both hemispheres each receiving sensory information from opposite sides of the body
what are the visual centres and where are they located in the brain
the primary visual center is located in the occipital lobe of the brain, however, processing begins in the retina of they eye
located in both hemispheres, the right receiving information from the left visual field and vise versa
what are the auditory centres and where are they located in the brain
lies within the temporal lobe of the brain, however auditory processing begins In the cochlea in the inner ear
located across both hemispheres
what are the language centres and where are they located within the brain
1) Broca’s area located in the frontal lobe of the brain in the left hemisphere
2) Wernicke’s area located in the temporal lobe in the left hemisphere
what is the difference between the Boca’s area and Wernicke’s area
1) believed to be critical for speech production
2) believed to be critical for speech comprehension
Describe research into the Boca’s area
- Paul Broca= who treated a patient ‘Tan’ who could understand speech but was unable to produce any other syllable other than tan
- Research into patients with lesions in the left frontal hemisphere also showed similar issues, however, patients with lesions on the right showed no issues
- Fedorenko et al = discovered two regions of the Brocas area one involved in language and the other in responding to demanding cognitive tasks such as maths.
Who discovered the Wernicke’s area
- Carl Wernicke
Evaluate localisation of function
1) opposed by the equipotentiality theory
2) support for the presence of language centers from aphasia patients
3) language production may not be confined to the Brocas area alone
what is the equpitpotentiality theory
believes that basic motor and sensory functions are localized, however, higher mental functions are not.
Claims that intact areas of the cortex could take over responsibility for specific cognitive functions following injury.
States that the effect of damage would be due to extent rather than location
