localisation of function eval Flashcards
S: evidence from case studies + ELAB: contradictory evidence (dronkers)
ID: a strength of localisation of function is that there is evidence from case studies
Q: this means that there is empirical evidence to support the function of the broca’s area and wernicke’s area.
EX: for example, patient tan suffered left frontal lobe degeneration (in the broca’s area), causing broca’s aphasia, which results in trouble with speech production. scanning techniques have also shown damage to broca’s area in patients with broca’s aphasia.
ELAB: however, recent research has provided contradictory evidence. dronkers et al conducted an mri scan on patient tan’s brain, to try and confirm findings. although there was a lesion found in the broca’s area, they also found evidence to suggest other areas may have contributed to the failure in speech production.
these results suggest that the broca’s area may not be the only region responsible for speech production, and the deficits found in patients with broca’s aphasia may be the result of damage to other neighbouring regions.
W: biological reductionism (lashly)
ID: furthermore, a limitation of localisation of function is that it may be biologically reductionist
Q: higher cognitive functions such as learning are not localised to one area of the brain.
EX: for example, lashley carried out research on rats and removed areas of the cortex in their brain, when they were learning a maze. the findings showed that not one area appeared to be more important in the rats’ ability and progress. this is because the brain is so complex that not one part acts independently, so strict localisation is impossible. for example, undamaged areas of the cortex after brain injury can take over functions of damaged areas.
AN: therefore, strict localisation is biologically reductionist and a more thorough understanding of the brain is needed to understand complex cognitive functions.
W: beta bias (herasty)
ID: another weakness of localisation of function is that it may display beta bias through individual differences
Q: research from herasty showed that women have a larger broca and wernicke’s area than men, this was observed through scanning techniques when carrying out language activities.
EX: for example, by suggesting men and women are the same in terms of areas of the brain, beta bias takes place as variations in activation and size weren’t considered in original research.
AN: therefore, we cannot apply these ideas equally to men and women and further research into individuals is needed to understand localisation of function further.
