Localisation of Function Flashcards
Where is the motor area and what does It control?
The motor area is at the back of the frontal lobe, and it controls voluntary movement in the opposite side of the body. Damage to this area may result in a loss of control over fine movement.
Where is the somatosensory area and what does it control?
At the front of the parietal lobe is the somatosensory area. It is where sensory information from the skin is represented. The amount of somatosensory area devoted to a certain part of the body denotes its sensitivity, such as our face and hands.
What separates the motor area and the somatosensory area?
The central sulcus
Where is the visual cortex and what does it control?
It is in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain. Each eye sends information from the RVF to the LVC. That means that damage to the left hemisphere can produce blindness in part of the RVF for both eyes.
Where is the auditory area and what does it control?
IT is in the temporal lobe, and it processes speech-based information.
What is the strength - brain scan evidence?
Peterson used brain scans to demonstrate how Wernicke’s area was active during a listening task and Broca’s was active during a reading task, suggesting these areas have different functions.
What is the strength - neurosurgical evidence?
Dougherty reported on 44 OCD patients who had a cingulotomy. After 32 weeks, 1/3rd had a successful response and 14% a partial response.
What is the limitation - Lashley’s rats
Lashley took rats and made them learn a maze, and removed between 10 and 50% of all grey matter in different areas to see what difference it made in how quickly they solved the maze. This suggests that learning is too complex to be localised.
What is the strength - Phineas Gage
railroad spike through his eye - destroying PFC. Notable change in behaviour - more temperamental, quick to anger - ‘No Longer Gage’. Shows that the PFC is responsible for personality.
