P2 - Biopsycholgy - Key studies Flashcards
Explain Broca’s research into localisation
Discovered the part of the brain responsible for the production of speech
Supports localisation theory
Explain Wernicke’s research into localisation
Discovered the part of the brain responsible for the understanding of speech
Supports localisation theory
Explain Sperry’s study
Tested hemispheric lateralisation by presenting stimuli to only one hemisphere of split brain patients
Supports hemispheric lateralisation
Explain Turk’s study
Found a split-brain patient who was able to learn to produce speech from his right hemisphere
Contradicts hemispheric lateralisation
Explain Maguire’s study
Found that experience as a taxi driver in London was directly correlated with the size of a person’s anterior hippocampus, suggesting that the brain is plastic and can adapt due to training
Supports brain plasticity
Explain Kuhn’s study
Participants who were made to play Super Mario for 30 mins per day showed higher density of grey matter in key brain areas involved in spatial navigation, strategic planning, working memory and motor performance
Supports brain plasticity
Explain Tajiri’s study
Rats given stem cell therapy showed significantly more functional recovery after a brain lesion, compared to a control group
Supports stem cell therapy
Explain Siffre’s study
Spent months living in caves and found that his body clock was roughly consistent, usually to approximately 25 hours
Supports endogenous pacemakers
Explain Morgan’s study
Implanted the SCN of hamsters with a 20-hour circadian rhythm into newborn hamsters. The newborns had a 20-hour daily cycle
Supports endogenous pacemakers
Explain Dement & Kleitman study
Found that participants woken during REM sleep had an 89% chance of remembering their dream, compared to only 7% who were woken during Non-REM sleep
Supports ultradian rhythms
Explain McClintock study
Women who received the sweat of a donor started to synchronise their menstrual cycle with the donor
Supports exogenous zeitgebers
