Localisation - SAQ

Question 1

Localisation

Answer 1

The theory that specific parts of the brain have specific functions that are related to specific behaviours. Such as speech, attention, aggression, hunger and embarrassment.

Question 2

Who came with the idea?

Answer 2

This idea was first started by the research of Broca who found Broca’s area which is a key part of speech.

Question 3

Counterargument of localisation

Answer 3

Often, however, behaviours are quite complex and involve several different parts of the brain.

Although specific parts of the brain may have specific functions, they work together with other parts of the brain to create behaviours.

Question 4

Who supports the counterargument?

Answer 4

This is supported by Lashley who’s research concluded that memory was distributed instead of localised.

Question 5

What did he conclude instead?

Answer 5

There was the principle of mass action which means that it mostly that the percentage of the cortex removed that affects the ability instead of location.

Equipotentiality which is that one part of the cortex can take over the functions of another.

Question 6

Example of localisation part of the brain

Answer 6

The hippocampus for example which is part of the limbic system is important for learning, memory and transferring short term memory to a more permanent store.

Question 7

Study used for localisation

Answer 7

Maguire

Question 8

When was Maguire?

Answer 8

2000

Question 9

Aim of Maguire (2000)

Answer 9

to see whether the brains of London taxi drivers would be somehow different as a result of their exceptional knowledge of the city and the many hours that they spend behind the wheel navigating the streets of London.

Question 10

What was the sample?

Answer 10

16 right-handed male London taxi drivers.

Question 11

How were the participants chosen?

Answer 11

Had to have completed the “Knowledge” test and have their license for at least 1.5 years

Question 12

To who were the taxi drivers compared to?

Answer 12

50 right-handed males who did not drive taxis

Question 13

How were they compared?

Answer 13

Compared using MRI scans

Question 14

From where were the control participants taken from?

Answer 14

Were taken from an MRI database

Question 15

What were the 2 different techniques used to analyse the MRI scans?

Answer 15

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM)

Pixel counting

Question 16

Results from the pixel counting

Answer 16

The pixel counting showed that the posterior hippocampi of taxi drivers were significantly larger relative to those of control subjects and the anterior hippocampi were significantly smaller.

Question 17

Results form the Voxel-based morphometry (VBM)

Answer 17

VBM showed that the volume of the right posterior hippocampi correlated with the amount of time spent as a taxi driver.

No differences were observed in other parts of the brain.

Maguire argues that this demonstrates that the hippocampus may change in response to environmental demands.

Question 18

Relation to localisation

Answer 18

Shows that the posterior hippocampus is involved when previously learned spatial information is used, whereas the anterior hippocampal region may be more involved during the encoding of new environmental layouts.

Question 19

What to know for localisation

Answer 19

Localisation
Who came with the idea?
Counterargument 
 Who supports the counterargument?
Example of localisation part of the brain
Maguire (2000)

Question 20

Assumption for localisation

Answer 20

Relates directly to the assumption of the
biological approach that cognitions, emotions and behaviours are products of the anatomy and physiology
of our nervous system and endocrine system.