localisation of brain function Flashcards
(20 cards)
what is localisation of function
idea that certain functions have certain locations within the brain
how does phineas gage support localisation of function
iron rod went through skull on rail line accident. survived and experience personality change such as loss of inhibition and anger. provided evidence to support localisation of function as area damaged was responsible for personality
what are the key areas of brain function
motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, auditory cortex and visual cortex, brocas area, wernickes area
where is the motor area located
frontal lobe
what is the motor area responsible for
voluntary movements by sending signals to the muscles in the body
how are the regions of the motor area arranged in a logical order
the region that controls finger movement is next to the region that controls the hand and arm etc.
where is the somatosensory area located
parietal lobe
what is the somatosensory area responsible for
receives sensory info from the skin to produce sensations e.g. pressure, pain, temperature
how did robertson show that the somatosensory area is highly adaptable
braille readers had larger areas in the area for their fingertips compared to normal sighted participants
where is the visual area located
in the occipital lobe
how does the visual area work
receives and processes visual info. right hand side visual field is processed in the left hemisphere and left hand visual info is processed in the right hemisphere. contains different parts that process different types of info such as colour, shape or movement
where is the auditory area located
temporal lobe
how does the auditory area work
analysing and processing acoustic info. info from the left ear goes primarily to the right hemisphere and vice versa. contains different parts, main area processes simple features such as volume and tempo
where is broca’s area located
posterior portion of the frontal lobe, both hemispheres
what does broca’s area control
in the dominant hemisphere, linked to speech production
where is wernicke’s area located
left side of temporal lobe
what is wernicke’s area responsible for
comprehension of speech, damage can impair language development and usage
how is lashley’s equipotentiality theory a weakness of localisation of function
suggests that basic motor and sensory functions are localised but not higher mental functions. claimed that intact areas of the cortex could take over cognitive functions following brain injuries. casts doubt on localisation theories, as other regions can take over functions following brain injury
how are case studies a strength of broca and wernicke’s area
broca’s aphasia is an impaired ability to produce language, caused by brain damage in broca’s area. wernicke’s aphasia impairs language perception. this demonstrates the important role played by these regions in comprehension of language
how is biological reductionism a weakness of localisation of functions
try to reduce very complex human behaviours and cognitive processes to one specific brain region. more thorough understanding is required to understand complex processes like language.
