localisation of function

Question 1

define localisation

Answer 1

refers to the idea that specific areas of the brain are associated with specific cognitive processes

Question 2

what are the motor and somatosensory areas of the brain and where are they located

Answer 2

1) motor cortex- frontal lobe in both hemispheres

2) somatosensory cortex- parietal lobe along the postcentral gyrus

Question 3

what are the visual centres and where are they located in the brain

Answer 3

the visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe of the brain - light hits the retina and strikes the photoreceptors allowing nerve impulses to travel to the brain via the optic nerve
located in both hemispheres the right hemisphere receives info from the left visual field and the left hemisphere receives info from the right visual field

Question 4

what are the auditory centres and where are they located in the brain

Answer 4

1) temporal lobe on both sides of the brain is the auditory cortex
2) pathway begins in the cochlea in the inner ear and sound waves are converted into auditory impulses

Question 5

name the two language centres in the brain

Answer 5

1) Wernicke’s area

2) Brocas area

Question 6

outline the Wernicke’s area

Answer 6

found in the posterior temporal lobe which controls speech comprehension/understanding

Question 7

outline the Boca’s area

Answer 7

an area in the frontal lobe usually in the left hemisphere to do with speech production

Question 8

evaluate localisation in the brain

Answer 8

1) research support- support for language centers may aphasia patients, damage to different areas of the brain resulting in the inability to produce language or the inability to understand it, and Tan
2) critical research- equiptentiality theory which is the view that basic motor and sensory functions were localized but higher mental functions were not, intact areas of the cortex could take over responsibility for any given function following injury - supported by the regain of cognitive function following damage to specific areas

3) issue and debate- biologically reductionist in nature as it tries to reduce complex behaviors and processes to one region of the brain, critics suggest that a greater understanding of the brain is required to truly understand complex processes such as language so a holistic approach may be better suited - supported by the idea that language may not be confined to one region of the brain alone via the use of MRI images reexamining patients found other regions of the brain besides Brocas could contribute to speech abilities being reduced
4) research methods - use of case studies such as Tan, use of MRI imaging