Localisation of Function AO1 & AO3 Flashcards
What is the holistic theory of the brain?
all parts of the brain are involved in the processing of thought and action.
developed in the pre 19th Century
what is the theory of localisation of function? Who argued for it?
different parts of the brain preform different tasks and are involved in different parts of the body.
Broca and Wernicke
What is lateralisation?
some of our physical and psychological functions are controlled/ dominated by a particular hemishpere
what is on the outer layer of both hemispheres?
the cerebral cortex, its 3mm thick
what is on the outer layer of both hemispheres?
the cerebral cortex, its 3mm thick
Define the Frontal Lobe
AKA the motor area, controls voluntary movement
Define the Parietal Lobes
AKA Somatosensory area, where sensory info is represented - amount devoted, denotes its sensitivity
Define the Occipital Lobe
AKA visual area, eye sends info from right visual field to left visual cortex, vice-versa
Define the Temporal Lobe
AKA auditory area, analyses speech-base info
What is Broca’s Area responsible for?
Language Production
How did Broca find this area?
through a post-mortem exam on his patient ‘TAN’
Where is Broca’s Area?
Left Frontal Lobe
What is it called if someone damages their Broca’s Area
Broca’s Aphasia
What is Wernicke’s Area responsible for?
Language Comprehension
Where is Wernicke’s Area?
Left Temporal lobe
What is it called when someone damages their Wernicke’s Area?
Wernicke’s Aphasia
What is a strength of Localisation of Function in terms of evidence from neuroscience?
AO3 - strength
Can be used for treating mental illnesses - Dougherty et al reported that 44 people with OCD who underwent a cingulotomy, 30% of them had a successful response and 14% had a partial response after 30 weeks
Who produced sound scientific evidence for Broca’s and Wernicke’s area? What did they do?
AO3 - strength
Peterson et al
used brain scan to see which area was active during listening (Wernicke) and which was active during reading (Broca)
Whose research counter acts Petersons? Why?
AO3 - weakness
Lashley et al.
found that even after removing significant amounts of a rats brain they still were able to learn how to go through the maze - so more holistic
What did Dick and Tremblay find?
AO3 - weakness
only 2% of researchers thing that language is controlled only by Broca’s and Wernicke’s area. fMRI’s have provided clearer results that show that language function is distributed holistically - found in the cortex and right hemisphere.
Who survived having a pole put through their brain?
AO3 - strength
Phineas Gage
