Physiology, The Brain And Individual Differences

Question 1

Describe contribution of physiology and brain.

• phrenology
• flourens

Answer 1

Phrenology - idea that one can determine persons personality based on shape of head. Later discovered it was false.

Flourens - using animals, discovered that Brian works as unit. when part removed, over time brain would find a way to compensate for missing part and find a way to function.

Question 2

Describe contribution of physiology and brain.

• Broca
• Fritsch and Hitzig

Answer 2

Broca - had patient that was unable to talk but otherwise seemed normal. During autopsy, noticed part of brain was damaged that was later named Broca’s area. Discovered that when area was damaged indv would lose speech functions which influenced debate on localization of functions.

Fritsch and Hitzig - found that when stimulated area of exposed cortex of soldier, muscle movement occurred. Thus, able to localize different muscle groups

Question 3

Describe contribution of physiology and brain.

Ferrier

Answer 3

Able to localize sensory motor area, vision and audition.

Found that different part of body varied in proportion to their function

Question 4

Individual differences

Answer 4

Astronomer wanted to know exact time star crossed his telescope
Assistant always 8 seconds behind

Bressel - theorized might be due to indv differences in observation

Mueller - not every organ is equally sensitive to stimulation

Helmholtz - 
     Rate of conduction (slow reaction)
     Visual adaptation (experience & sensation     
          play role to create perception
     Colour vision (trichromacy theory)