Brain Structure

Question 1

What is trepanning?

Answer 1

Surgical intervention in which a hole is drilled into the skull to treat problems on the surface of the brain

Question 2

What is phrenology?

Answer 2

The practice of mapping the bumps on a persons skull and using these to deduce aspects of their character

Question 4

What a lobes/where are they located?

Answer 4

Specific locations in each hemisphere of the brain

Question 5

Where is the parietal lobe?

Answer 5

The top area

Question 5

Where is the occipital lobe?

Answer 5

Back of the brain

Question 6

What a lobes/where are they located?

Answer 6

Specific locations in each hemisphere of the brain

Question 6

Where is the temporal lobe?

Answer 6

Sides of the head and behind the ears

Question 7

How many lobes are there?

Answer 7

8
4 in each hemisphere

Question 8

What is cortex?

Answer 8

Last part of the brain to evolve and the most developed (covering)

Question 9

What a lobes/where are they located?

Answer 9

Specific locations in each hemisphere of the brain

Question 10

Where is the temporal lobe?

Answer 10

Sides of the head and behind the ears

Question 11

Where is the parietal lobe?

Answer 11

The top area

Question 12

Where is the occipital lobe?

Answer 12

Back of the brain

Question 13

How many lobes are there?

Answer 13

8
4 in each hemisphere

Question 14

What is aphasia?

Answer 14

A disturbance in the comprehension and production of language caused by brain dysfunction or damage e.g- a stroke

Question 15

What is lesion?

Answer 15

Accidental or deliberate damage to the brain (an incision or cut)

Question 16

What is ablation?

Answer 16

Removing part of the brain

Question 17

Who is Phineas Gage?

Answer 17

A 25-year-old railway worker who in 1848 experienced a horrific industrial accident that severely damaged his prefrontal

His language, intellectual capabilities and movement were entirely and infected by his brain injury however his personality underwent a significant change

He went from being described as considerate, loyal, friendly to having bursts of anger being aggressive, compulsive and irresponsible

He lost his friends, job and never worked again, became isolated and died alone 11 years later.

Question 18

How are case studies of brain damage important

Answer 18

Case studies of brain-damaged patients have provided and invaluable insights into how brains function and the role of localisation

Question 19

What does damage to the broncas area cause?

Answer 19

They have normal speech comprehension but cannot articulate a reply. They show deficits with prepositions, word endings and other grammatical devices.
Those with less extensive damage speak slowly and inarticulately

Question 20

What does damage to the Wernickes area cause?

Answer 20

Wernickes area - rear of the left temporal lobe
Linked to severe impairment in language comprehension, patients can produce speech, but it’s meaningless

In less cases, people may have difficulty finding the right word, make up names, substitute one name for another or use vague expressions

Question 21

Role of the frontal lobe

Answer 21

Planning movements, some aspects of memory, inhibition of inappropriate behaviours, reward, attention

Question 22

Role of temporal lobe

Answer 22

Hearing, understanding language, advanced visual processing (recognition of faces etc) —> linked to Kluver-Bucy syndrome

Question 23

Role of the parental lobe

Answer 23

Body sensations - integrating sensory information and some parts are linked to language processing

Question 26

Role of occipital lobe

Answer 26

Vision

Question 27

What is the lymbic system?

Answer 27

It forms a border around the brainstem It is particularly linked to motivated and emotional behaviours such as eating, drinking, sexual activity, anxiety and aggression

Question 28

Role of occipital lobe

Answer 28

Vision

Question 29

Might be helpful when explaining behaviour

Answer 29

It might help to explain how aggressive behaviour is consistent with genetic explanations of behaviour . Genes provide the blueprint of how our brain will develop responses to environmental stimuli - this might help to explain why on average males across the world, in all cultures tend to be more physically violent then females. They have different genetic coding that influences how the brain develops

Question 30

Where is the amygdala? What is its function?

Question 31

What is the function of the amygdala?

Answer 31

The centre for primitive emotional behaviour, emotions and motivation. It integrates internal and external stimuli and every sensory modality input - which when combined gives us an instinctive feeling or reaction to the environment that will include aggression.

Question 32

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Answer 32

It maintains homeostasis - maintain internal/body stability in response to changes in external conditions through the regulation of hormones (this includes the regulation of testosterone - excessive testosterone production is linked to aggressive behaviour in males)

Question 33

Strengths of brain structure as an explanation of aggression

Answer 33

Case study such as Phineas Gage - This study supports the connection between damage to specific regions of the brain (amygdala) and how it can lead to aggressive behaviour. Brain structure as an ex explanation for aggressive behaviour is consistent with genetic explanations - ‘Faulty’ MAOA genes might provide some people with the blueprint for aggression. These people would have brain structures that predispose them towards aggression. They have a blueprint which influences how the brain develops and responds to environmental stimuli. Kulver-Bucy syndrome - Damage to or removal of the amygdala usually leads to tameness and placidity, supporting the link between certain areas of the brain such as the amygdala and aggression

Question 34

Weaknesses of brain structure as an explanation of aggression

Answer 34

Biological explanations of aggression related to brain structure or reductionist and deterministic. It ignores social and learning factors Most research into aggression focuses on affective aggression - aggression that is highly emotional but not all aggression can be characterised like this - e.g soldiers in battle. There is unlikely to be a single explanation for all aggression behaviours