Localisation Of Funtiom In Brain And Hemispheric Lateralisation

Question 1

Localisation of function

Answer 1

Specific areas of the brain are specialised for certain functions

Question 2

Holistic theory

Answer 2

All parts of brain worked together when processing information

Question 3

Motor cortex (both hemispheres)

Answer 3

Involved in creation of voluntary motor movements

Damage can cause loss of control over fine movements on opposite side of body

(Collateral wiring)

Question 4

Somatosensory cortex (both hemispheres)

Answer 4

Process information from senses in the skin

(Damage can produce problems in perceiving touch)

Question 5

Brocas are (left hemisphere)

Answer 5

Involved in production and written language

Damage can produce brocas aphasia person may show slow speech or lack of fluency

Or complete absence of speech

Question 6

Visual cortex (both hemispheres)

Answer 6

Receives information from eyes

Process information such as coulor and shape

If damaged can produce blindness and hullucination

Question 7

Wernickes area (left hemisphere)

Answer 7

Involved in understanding language

Damage can cause wernikes aphasia
Where individuals cannot understand spoken language

(Fluent but meaningless speech)

Question 8

Auditory cortex

Answer 8

Analysing speech based information

Damage can produce partial hearing loss through to full hearing loss

Question 9

Localisation of funtion in the brain Ao3 (s)

Answer 9

RTS localisation of function in the brain conducted by broca

Reported case study of a man who lost his ability to speak

Except for one word ‘tan’ even though he could still understand language

Post mortems showed damage in one area of the left hemisphere which is now named Broca’s area

Supports idea of localisation because funtion of Broca’s area is specifically to produce language

Increasing validity of research into localisation of function in the brain

Question 10

Localisation of funtion in the brain Ao3 limitation

Answer 10

Research to contradict on a patient named EB

Suffered from brain damage that resulted in the removel of his left hemisphere and thus language centres

After some time EB managed to regain some language ability

That would not be possible if language centres were completely localised within brain and wernikes area

Shows language must be in more areas than just the left hemisphere

Reducing validity of research into localisation of funtion in the brain

Question 11

Localisation of function of the brain Ao3 limitation

Answer 11

Both studies lack population validity

May not be appropriate to generalise findings to typical population

As there are unique studies where brain damage may have affected the way in which the brain functions and some individuals may be able to process language in other areas of the brain

E.g some research has suggested Broca’s area is not solely located in the left hemisphere but found in the dominant cerebral hemisphere

Commonly to be opposite to dominant handiness

Thus suggesting more research is needed with more diverse samples before firm conclusions on localisation of language areas