localisation of function in the brain

Question 1

localisation of function

Answer 1

Different parts of the brain are involved in different tasks and are associated to different behaviours.

Question 2

hemispheres and the cerebral cortex

Answer 2

• Two symmetrical hemispheres.
• Psychological and physical functions are controlled / dominated by a particular hemisphere → lateralisation.
• Left side of the body → controlled by the right hemisphere and vice versa.
• The outer layer of both hemispheres is called the cerebral cortex.
• Separates us from animals
• Ours is much more developed.

Question 3

the centres of the cerebral cortex

Answer 3

Frontal lobe-back of frontal lobe is motor area-voluntary movement on the opposite side of the body

parietal lobe-front of parietal lobe=somatosensory cortex- sensory information from skin is represented

occipital lobe-back of brain-visual cortex-left and right visual fields to the left and right cortex

right visual field-made up of left side of both eyes

temporal lobe-auditory area

brocas area-in frontal lobe-speech production

wernickes area-speech comprehension

Question 4

the language area of the brain

Answer 4

Broca’s Area
-Left hand frontal lobe
-Speech production
-Broca’s Aphasia - slow laborious speech

Wernicke’s Area
-Left temporal lobe
-Speech production is fine but understanding is bad
• Wernicke’s Aphasia

Question 5

strength-brain scan evidence

Answer 5

There is plenty of supporting evidence for the localisation of neurological function, particularly in language and memory

For example Peterson et al. (1988) used brain scans to demonstrate how Wernicke’s area was active during a listening task and Broca’s area was active during a reading task. Suggesting that these areas have different functions.

Similarly, a study of long-term memory by Tulving et al. (1994) revealed that semantic and episodic memory reside in different parts of the prefrontal cortex.

Such research, which is conducted using highly sophisticated and objective methods to measure activity in the brain provide sound scientific evidence for the localisation of brain function.

Question 6

strength-neurosurgery

Answer 6

Lobotomies used to be common practice.
• Surgically removing or destroying parts of the frontal lobe.
Brutal but often effective.
• Controversially still used today
Dougherty et al. (2002)
• 44 patients with OCD underwent a cingulotomy
• 32 week follow up 1 third showed a successful response.

Question 7

strength-case study evidence

Answer 7

Lots of case study evidence to support the theory of localisation
• e.g. Phineas Gage
Gage was caught in an explosion which resulted in a meter length pole being hurled through his head and tearing out most of his frontal lobe.
Gage survived but…
• Became short tempered, rude and aggressive.
Suggests that the frontal lobe may be responsible for regulating mood - supports localisation.