Localisation of function - AO3

Question 1

What is a strenght of localisation of function?

Answer 1

• P: Strength = support from neurosurgery
• E: Dougherty et al. (2002): 44 people with OCD who had cingulotomy - 30% reduction in symptoms (14% partial reduction)
• E: Cingulotomy involves severing connection to cingulate gyrus (area associated with OCD)
  L: Behaviour associated with mental disorder to be localised

Question 2

What is a PECS paragragh for localisation of function?

Answer 2

• P: Strength = case studies
• E: Phineas Gage able to retain functioning and only experience changes to personality
• C: However, cannot generalise from individual cases
• L: Some evience supporting localisation may lack validity

can bring up patient Tan

Question 3

What are two limitations of localisation of functions?

Answer 3

• P: Limitation = counter-evidence from animal studies
• E: Lashley (1950): removed 10-50% of cortex in rats learning a maze
• E: Learning required all of the cortex rather than localised areas - known as equipotentiality theory = all parts have equal functioning in brain (holistic theory)
• L: Cognitive processes like learning distributed more holistically (vs language)

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• P: Limitation = language is too complex to be localised
• E: Dick and Tremblay (2016): researchers now don’t believe is only in Broca/Wernicke’s area
• E: Advancements in brain scanning techniques (fMRI) show activity in right hemisphere, thalamus and parietal lobe
• L: Even language may be organised more holistically