LoF

Question 1

Define localisation + oppo

Answer 1

The theory that specific areas of the brain are associated with particular physical and psychological functions - in short, we can map structures onto function.

Question 2

Which studies are you using for the SAQ and ERQ

Answer 2

Maguire et al (2000)

Maguire et al (2000) + Milner

Question 3

What is the LoF and behaviour involved in Maguire et al (2000) + Milner (1996)
[Name/Location/Function/Behaviour]

Answer 3

Hippocampus
Location: A complex brain structure embedded deep into the temporal lobe, one of the 4 lobes of the brain.

Function/Behvaviour:

• thought to be principally involved in storing long-term memories and navigation.
• The posterior hippocampus is thought to be involved principally in cognitive and spatial processing.

If damaged by disease or injury:
* influence a person’s memories
* ability to form new memories
* spatial memory
* ability to remember directions, locations and orientations.

Question 4

The aim of Maguire study

Answer 4

To examine whether structural changes could be detected in the brain of people with extensive experience of spatial navigation.

Question 5

Method of Maguire (Participants + procedure)

Answer 5

Taxi drivers undergo extensive training, known as ‘The Knowledge’ and therefore make an ideal group for the study of spatial navigation.

Structural MRI scans were obtained. 16 right-handed male London taxi drivers participated, all had been driving for more than 1.5 years. Scans of 50 healthy right-handed males who did not drive taxis were included for comparison. The mean age did not differ between the two groups.

Question 6

Findings of Maguire

Answer 6

1) Increased grey matter was found in the brains of taxi drivers in the right and left hippocampi. The increased volume was found in the posterior hippocampus.
2) A correlation was found between the amount of time spent as a taxi driver and volume in the right posterior hippocampus.

Question 7

Conclusion of Maguire

Answer 7

• Provide evidence for structural differences between the hippocampi of London taxi drivers and control participants,
• suggesting that extensive practice with spatial navigation affects the hippocampus.

Question 8

Aim of Milner (1996)

Answer 8

To investigate the effects of HM having his hippocampus removed, to treat his epilepsy, on his memory.

Question 9

Method of Milner

Answer 9

• HM completed a number of different tasks

e. g.
- drawing a line between two outlines of a star whilst watching his hand in the mirror.
- completed IQ tests
- tests on perception and abstract thinking
- memory assessments.

Question 10

Findings of Milner

Answer 10

• After the surgery, he had anterograde amnesia - unable to make new memories.
• He could not acquire new episodic knowledge (memory for events) or new semantic knowledge (general knowledge).
• He did have a capacity for working memory (STM) as he could carry on a normal conversation. He could maintain information in his STM via rehearsal.
• His IQ was unaffected.

Question 11

Conclusion of Milner

Answer 11

• hippocampus plays a role in converting STM into LTM.
• HM had no problems with his memory prior to the removal of the hippocampus, it suggests that the hippocampus does play a role in memory.
• However, as he did have a functioning STM it suggest that the hippocampus is not involved in STM, but instead transferring these into LTM. As HM could not form new long-term memories.