Attention, language and lateralisation of the brain Flashcards
(26 cards)
What does the cerebral cortex comprise of ?
Comprises of 2 hemispheres
What happens to the brain when we hear sound?
Both hemispheres show activations because they are connected to other brain areas and to each other
What is contralateral control?
The left hemispheres controls right side of body. Right hemisphere controls left side of body.
Explain the contralateral connections in auditory connections
Ear => cochlea nucleus (crossover) => primary auditory cortex
Explain contralateral connections in visual connections
Different neurons are activated in the retina depending on the incoming angle (from the object to the eye) . Information from the left visual field will enter the right half of each retina and vice versa for the right visual field. The cross over is at the optic chiasm. So information from the left visual field will enter the right half of each retina and be sent to the right hemisphere.
Summarise contralateral connections
The other side hemisphere is somewhat more responsible for many signals we perceive and may bodily responses we show BUT the other side hemisphere is not full responsible because there are connections across the hemispheres.
Describe lateralisation
Certain processes are more highly developed on one side of the brain than the other.
What is the left hemisphere more specialised in?
language
What is the right hemisphere more specialised in?
emotional content, face recognition , spatial ability
What is the right hemisphere hypothesis?
The right hemisphere is dominant for emotion recognition (coincides with
traditional view: lateralization of the brain functions).
What is the valence hypothesis?
The right hemisphere is dominant for negative emotions, the left
hemisphere is dominant for positive emotions (Richard Davidson, 1982:
lateralization of emotions)
Explain evidence that supports the concept that spatial ability and attention is dominant in the right hemisphere
When there is damage in the right hemisphere - attention is implicated . For example damage in the right parietal cortex causes neglect of the body on the left side and damage to the right temporal cortex leads to neglect of surroundings of the left side. However attention is not neglected when damage occurs to the left hemisphere.
Give examples of lateralisation of functions in vertebrates
Left brain side : food
Right brain side : vigilance
Describe what is meant by a ‘split brain patient’ and their contribution to research into contralateral connections and lateralisation of the brain.
Split brain patients have their corpus collosum cut which means there is almost no communication between hemispheres. So if If information is presented to only one hemisphere, this is not
interpreted by the other! Responses therefore depend on the hemisphere the stimuli are presented to.
Who tend to be split brain patients ?
Epilepsy patients are usually split brain patients because in very few cases they have their corpus collosum surgically cut. The rationale for this is that the only half of the body will be affected so less seizures but no impact on intellect, motivation, overall movements etc.
What makes speech an efficient type of language?
- can travel long distances
- can be understood with out sight
- quick to get attention
name the biological components of speech production
Vocal control in the brain, vocal cavities in the nose (sound filter) , larynx (sound source), lungs (provide aerodynamic energy)
Human vocal capacities are shared with…
The first land-living vertebrates
Explain the source-filter model of speech production
The source is vocal folds of the larynx which transforms aerodynamic energy to sound waves. Meanwhile the filter is the Supralaryngeal cavity which filters sounds and is thus important for vowel productions.
Why do humans only speak?
The lower position of the Larynx found in humans allows for greater flexibility. Vocal and motor control is more advanced and voluntary as well as breathing control .
name the three key components of speech / language. What is language based on ?
Semantics = significance (meaning)
Syntax = rules & principles (grammar)
Prosody = rhythm, stress & intonation (melody)
The basis of language is based on the ability to produce new signals in order to convey new ideas.
Where can Broca’s area be found and what is it responsible for?
Located in the left frontal cortex, it is involved in language production more specifically speaking, writing, gesturing and sign language. Also involved with comprehending complex sentences with a focus on grammar.
Where can Wernicke’s area be found and what is it responsible for?
Involved with language comprehension and finding the ‘right word’ (anomia)
Is speech perception a purely auditory process?
No it is also a visual process as what we see can influence what we perceive. For example if we hear [ga-ga] but see [ba-ba] we perceive [da-da]. This is called Syllable fusion under the McGurk effect.
