Localization of Function (Maguire)

Question 1

Introduction (The theory of localization posits that…)

Answer 1

The theory of localization posits that different parts of the brain are responsible for mechanisms of thought, behavior, and emotion. Everything psychological is caused by biological processes eg. Broca’s research found that damage to the left lobe can cause speech aphasia. Parts of the brain are responsible for different functions eg. hippocampus on memory formation, prefrontal cortex in impulsivity

Question 2

Maguire Aim

Answer 2

To test localization of spatial memory of British taxi drivers. They took a test called the “Knowledge” which tested their mental map of London

Question 3

Maguire Method

Answer 3

Quasi experiment (IV cannot be manipulated)- MRI scans on both 16 right handed London taxi drivers and 50 non-taxi drivers (control group). Data was measured by using VBM to measure grey matter and pixel counting to calculate the area of the hippocampus. Investigated the relationship between the number of years driving and brain structure, and compared.

Question 4

Maguire Findings

Answer 4

The posterior hippocampus was larger, anterior was smaller. Volume of posterior hippocampus correlated with the number of years spent driving

Shows that the hippocampus is responsible for spatial awareness and memory eg. the differences in volume suggest that certain brain structures respond to environmental demands.

Question 5

Maguire Link

Answer 5

Hippocampus is responsible for spatial awareness and memory as specific parts of the brain demand more (there is evident growth dependant on environmental demands due to new neural connections forming and changing of brain structure based on experience)