Attention, Language + Lateralisation Of The Brain

Question 1

What happens to the brain when we hear sounds?

Answer 1

Both 2 hemispheres show activation as they’re connected o other brain areas + each other

Question 2

Connection between hemispheres:

Answer 2

Corpus callosum (network of axons)

Question 3

Both hemispheres show activation during very day situations, differently. How?

Answer 3

Contralateral connections

Lateralisation

Question 4

Contralateral control:

Answer 4

• left hemisphere controls right side of body
• right hemisphere controlled left side of body

Question 5

Visual connections

Answer 5

• Left visual field goes to right hemisphere
• different neurons activated in retina, depending on incoming angle
• ‘other side’ hemisphere = more responsible for bodily responces we show, not fully responsible for connections across hemispheres

Question 6

Lateralisation

Answer 6

Certain processes= more highly developed on one side of brain than other

Question 7

What does left hemisphere specialise in?

Answer 7

Language
Dominant for positive emotions

Question 8

What does right hemisphere specialise in?

Answer 8

Emotional content, face recognition + spatial ability

Dominant for negative emotions

Question 9

Right hemisphere = dominant for spatial ability. So what happens when there is damage in either hemisphere?

Answer 9

Damage in right hemisphere:
- right parietal cortex> neglect of body on left side
- right temporal cortex > neglect of surroundings on left side

Damage in left hemisphere:
- not much neglect

Question 10

Split-brain patients

Answer 10

• provide insight to contralateral connections + lateralisation of brain
• when corpus callosum cut» almost no communication between hemispheres
• if info presented to only 1 hemisphere, its not interpreted by the other

Question 11

Epilepsy and split-brain

Answer 11

• episodes of excessive neural activity, due to decrease GABA release

In few cases: surgery > corpus callosum cut
- half of body affected > less eizures> no impact on intellect, motivation, overall movement

Question 12

How is speech produced?

Answer 12

Similar ways with vocalisations of nonhuman animals

Source-filter model:
- vocal folds transform aerodynamic edgy to sound waves
- supraloarygeal cavity filters sound

Question 13

Why do only humans speak if sound produces in similar ways for animals?

Answer 13

1. Limitations in speech-relevant production
   - lower larnyx > more flexibility
   - advanced vocal + motor control
   - advanced breathing control
2. Speech/ language is more than just sound production:
   - semantics > significance/ meaning
   - rules and principles (grammar)
   - rhythm, melody

Question 14

Language and the brain: what is Broca’s area responsible for?

Answer 14

• language production
• speaking, writing
• sign language
• understanding complex sentences
• grammar

Question 15

Language and the brain: what is Wenicke’s area responsible for?

Answer 15

• language comprehension
• finding right word

Question 16

Is speech production purely auditory process?

Answer 16

Children better listening than adults when seeing/ hearing dubbed videos. When heard ga-ga and saw ba-ba adults perceives da-da. Children predicted for what it was.
Due to developmental changes in our speech perception.

Question 17

Why did language evolve?

Answer 17

Traditional view:
- instructing others
- informing about environment
- eg alarm calls in animals

Recent view:
- exchanging social info
- eg animal research: behaviours may promote social cohesion