Localisation of function Flashcards
Function and location of motor cortex
Function:Controls movement and co-ordination of muscles
Location: Frontal lobe
Function and location of visual cortex
Function: Controls visual processing and images in visual field
Location: Occupital lobe
Function and location of sensory centres
Function: To detect sensation on the skin for reflexes
Location: parietal lobe
Function and location of Brocas area
Function: Production of speech
Location: frontal lobe
Function and location of wernickes area
Function: Comprehension of speech
Location: Temporal Lobe
Supporting evidence for localisation of function: Peterson et al
-Peterson et al conducted brain scans and found that brocas area was active during tasks involving the production of speech and wernickes area was active in tasks involving the comprehension of speech supporting the view language functions are localised and performed in specific brain areas.
LOF weakness- Hollistic theory of brain function
Argues that brain functions are not localised but that the entire brain is involved with processing and facilitating behavioural functions-Lashley found that rats did not have a specific localised area to store memories, the entire brain was involved in the storing and processing of memories-brain functions arent locialised, LOF is reductionist as it reduces brain functions to one specific area of the brain and overlooks the entire brain is involved
Lateralisation of function
-The idea each hemisphere of the brain performs specialised functions.
Contralateral
-Each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body-the right hemisphere controls the left side and vice versa
Left hemisphere
Responsible for language production and processing, includes brocas and wernickes areas
Right hemisphere
Thought to be involved in emotional recognition, pattern and detail recognition and spatial awareness
Supporting evidence for LOF: Paul Broca
Case study of a French man with epilepsy who eventually developed an inability to speak, conducted a postmorterm examination and found a lesion on the temporal lobe, suggesting that area is responsible for speech production as when it is damaged, it results in an inhibited ability to produce speech.
How does brocas case study support LOF
Because when the area of the brain responsible for speech production is damaged, we lose the ability to speak.
What area controls speech production
Brocas area
What area controls speech comprehension?
Wernickes area.