1.1.1 Localisation of Brain Function (Bi)

Question 1

How do we know which areas of the brain control which behaviour?

Answer 1

• Brain scans (functional)

* Brain surgery

Question 2

What are the two halves of the brain called?

Answer 2

The cerebral hemispheres

Question 3

What are the cerebral hemispheres connected by and why?

Answer 3

The corpus callosum (250 million nerve cells) they need to be connected for the brain to function

Question 4

How is behaviour explained?

Answer 4

In terms of different areas of the brain having specific functions (localisation of brain function)

Question 5

What is the function of the left brain?

Answer 5

• logic
• language
• analytical thought
• science and maths

Question 6

What is the function of the right brain?

Answer 6

• creativity
• intuitions
• art and music
• holistic thought

Question 7

What is the cerebral cortex? And what does it do?

Answer 7

The deeply folded area covering the surface of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions such as:
• logic
• dreams
• hopes

Question 8

What is the cerebral cortex divided into?

Answer 8

4 lobes: 
• frontal lobe 
• parietal lobe 
• occipital lobe 
• temporal lobe

Question 9

What is the function of the frontal lobe?

Answer 9

Main site of higher cognitive functions, it is involved in: 
• attention 
• thought 
• voluntary movement 
• decision making 
• language

Question 10

What would the results be of damage to the frontal lobe?

Answer 10

Negative effects on social behaviour, paralysis, mood changes, inability to express language, change in personality

Question 11

Give an example of the effects of damage to the frontal lobe:

Answer 11

Phineas Gage:
• a pole passed through his head taking part of his frontal lobe with it
• before the incident he was calm and friendly, however he became more aggressive (personality change)

Question 12

What are the functions of the parietal lobe?

Answer 12

Part of the brain building a picture of the world, and our response to our environment involved in:
• location of objects
• coordination of movement

Question 13

What can result of the parietal lobe is damaged?

Answer 13

• inability to locate and recognise objects, events and parts of the body
• disorientation
• lack of co-ordination

Question 14

What is the function of the occipital lobe?

Answer 14

Primary visual area of the brain

Question 15

What can result if damage occurs to the occipital lobe?

Answer 15

• hallucinations
• blindness
• inability to see colour
• synthesia
• inability to recognise motion

Question 16

What is the function of the temporal lobe?

Answer 16

Recognition, perception, understanding of language, learning and memory

Question 17

What can result of the temporal lobe is damaged?

Answer 17

• difficulty understanding speech, faces and objects
• persistent talking
• memory loss
• aggression

Question 18

What does localisation of the brain help us understand?

Answer 18

Why specific functions of the brain may be lost if an individual suffers damage to the brain

Question 19

Give an argument against localisation of brain function to explain human behaviour:

Answer 19

• localisation is not always clear cut
• the brain shows plasticity
• the brain is highly integrated

Question 20

Explain the argument that localisation is not always clear cut:

Answer 20

• lacks population validity- not representative of the entire group
• e.g. The findings are usually reported on the location of cerebral hemisphere functioning and are most representative of right handed male subjects

Question 21

Explain the argument that the brain shows plasticity:

Answer 21

• the brain is flexible and can physically adjust the location of function if brain damage occurs
• e.g. Children experiencing damage to the left cerebral hemisphere would be expected to have issues with language however they were able to recover language

Question 22

Explain the argument that the brain is hugely integrated:

Answer 22

• there are many different brain areas involved in one function e.g vision, language, memory
• activity in one area of the brain is influenced by the background activity of the rest of the brain