Task 8 Flashcards
What are hub lesions ?
-> area with many regions more dangerous
What are peripheral lesions ?
-> area with less connection -> less dangerous
What is meant by reverse engineering ?
-> to infer the function of a component (or region) by observing what the rest of the cognitive system can and can’t do when that component (or region) is removed
What is meant by classical neuropsychology ?
-> Addresses questions of functional specialization “ What functions are disrupted by damage to region x”
Which studies are favoured by for adreesing the classical neuropsychology question ?
- > gorup studies
What type of group studies exist ?
- > Grouped by syndrome
- > Grouped by cognitive symptoms
- > Grouped by anatomical lesion
Explain how groups are formed in “ Grouped by syndrome condition “
-> having a cluster of symptoms (less specific)
Explain how groups are formed in “Grouped by cognitive symptoms”
-> having one particular symptom (more specific)
Explain how groups are formed in “Grouped by anatomical leson”
->Grouped by damaged region
Why are Grouped studies better then single case studies ?
-> SInce Theories can be established but individual differences must be canceled
What is meant by Cognitive neuropsychology ?
-> Tries to answer what the building blocks of cognition are
What types of studies do cognitive psychology favor ?
-> Single case studies
Name some information about single case studies:
-> Single case studies can not develop cognitive theories but still give valubale knowledge
How are lesion caused ?
- > Via TMS
- > Naturally caused lesions
What is meant by Localization of function?
-> idea that certain functions have certain locations or areas within the brain (broca areas
What are the assumption of lesion studies ?
- Fractionation assumption
- Transparency assumption
- Universallity assumption
- Localization assumption
What is meant by the Fractionation assumption ? Also name the problem with that assumption
- > damage to the brain can produce selective cognitive lesion / impairments
- > Problem: neurons forming a cognitive model can be distantly distributed
What is meant by the Transparency assumption ? Also name the problem with that assumption
- > loesions affect one or more components within the preexisting cognitive system but do not result in a completely new cognitive system being created
- > Only true when studied in adulthood + soon after injury
What is meant by the Universality assumption ? Also name the problem with that assumption
- > all cognitive systems are basically identical
- > Problem individual differences
What is meant by the Localization assumption ? Also name the problem with that assumption
- > discrete anatomical modules (separated brain parts) deal with different cognitive functions
- > BUT: Many brain functions are carried out with large portions of the brain working rather than one region having a fixed function
What is meant by Diaschisis ?
-> brain lesion can disrupt the functioning of distant brain regions that are structurally intact via disruption of communication
What are limitations of lesion studies ?
- > Plasticity (lesion method)
- > Temporarily disruption (fmri should test 3 months after )
- > Can not study every brain area equally good since some areas of the brain are more likely to be damaged by strokes
- > Localization assumption is not true (Diaschises)
What is the main problem of lesion method ?
Temproal resolution is poor
Name some pro of fmri studies vs lesion
- > Better temporal reolustion
- > Can show every part that is involved in the task
- > No plasticity problem / vulnerability
- > do not need damaged brain
