Localisation of the brain

Question 1

localisation of function

Answer 1

the idea that certain functions (e.g. language and memory) have certain locations in the brain

Question 2

hemispheric lateralisation

Answer 2

lateralisation is the fact that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and that each hemisphere has functional specialisations e.g. the left is dominant for language and the right for visual motor tasks

Question 3

motor area

Answer 3

responsible for voluntary movements by sending signals to the muscles in the body

Question 4

somatosensory area

Answer 4

receives incoming sensory information from the skin to produce sensations related to pressure, pain, temp etc.

Question 5

visual area

Answer 5

processes visual information
the visual area contains different parts that process different types of information including colour, shape or movement

Question 6

auditory area

Answer 6

responsible for analysing and processing acoustic information

Question 7

broca’s area

Answer 7

found in the left frontal lobe and is thought to be involved in language production

Question 8

wernicke’s area

Answer 8

found in the left temporal lobe
thought to be involved in language processing

Question 9

A03 localisation of function

Answer 9

:( Lashley, equipotentiality theory → intact areas of the cortex could take responsibility for cognitive functions following brain injury

:) case studies damage to wernike’s and broca’s aphasia causing language impairment
:( Dronker’s contradictory research
MRI scan (scientific) on dead brain, found other areas of the brain may contribute to the aphasia
:( individual differences
women have larger broca’s and wernicke’s area than men explain the greater ease of language