localisation of the brain and hempisheric laterisation

Question 1

hemispheres of the brain

Answer 1

• outer layer of both hemispheres is the cerebral cortex
• brain divided into 2 symmetrical halves, called left and right hemisphere
• some of our functions are controlled by a one hemisphere
• thats called laterisation
• left hand side of body controlled by right hem
• right side of body controlled by left hem

Question 2

what is lateralisation

Answer 2

• when some of our functions are controlled/dominated by one hemisphere

Question 3

localisation of the function of the brain

Answer 3

• proposed by Broca and wernicke
• diff parts of brain responsible for diff physical and psychological functions
• so if a certain area of the brain is damaged, the area lined with that part of the brain will also be damaged

Question 4

what is that sometimes Called

Answer 4

cortical specialisation

Question 5

brocas area

Answer 5

brocas area
function - speech production
location - left frontal lobe
result in damage - brocas aphasia ( slow non fluent speech)

Question 6

wenickes area

Answer 6

function - understanding language
location - left temporarl lobe
result in damage - wernickes aphasia ( fluent but meaningless speech)

Question 7

motor cortex

Answer 7

function - voluntary movement
location- back of the frontal lobe
result in damage - difficulty with voluntary movement

Question 8

somatosensory cortex

Answer 8

function - sensory information processing
location - front of parietal lobes ( central sulcus)
result in damage - los of sensation or control of fine movements

Question 9

visual cortex

Answer 9

function- processes visual information
location - occipital lobe
result in damage- blindness in corresponding visual field

Question 10

auditory cortex

Answer 10

function - analyses speech based sound information
location - temporal lobe
result in damage - hearing loss

Question 11

strength , research evidence

Answer 11

p- research evidence
e- Peterson et al , found werncikes area = active during listening tasks , brooks area , active during reading tasks
e- tulving = found diff types of memory ( ep and sem )are stored in diff parts of brain
l- show specific areas of brain = specific functions = supports theory

Question 12

limitation , evidence challenges theory

Answer 12

p- evidence that challenges theory
e- work e.g lashley suggests higher cognitive functions e.g learning , not localised, but spread across the brain in more holistic way
e- lashley = removed diff parts of cortex in rats , as they learnt maze , found that no single area was more important than others , all areas worked tgth , showing that learning involved whole cortex
l- suggest that complex behaviours eg learning = not tied to 1 specific area of brain = contradicts theory

Question 14

limitation , alternative theories

Answer 14

p- alternative theories , challenges theory
e- e.g brain plasticity suggests= one area of brain damaged = other areas can adapt and take over function
e- e.g stroke patients recovering from lost abilities .eg Jodi miller, brain reorganised itself after part of it was removed to treat epilepsy
l- supports idea = brain is adaptable