Localisation of function Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is localisation of function theory?
Localisation of function claims that certain ideas of the brain correspond to certain functions
What is lateralisation of brain function?
The tendency for some neural functions or cognitive processes to be specialised to one hemisphere of the brain
What is the AKA name of the limbic system?
The “emotional brain”
What are the parts of the limbic system?
The hypothalamus, the amygdala, the thalamus and the hippocampus
What is the amygdala responsible for?
Activating the fight-or-flight with hormones in response of strong emotions like fear or aggression
What is amygdala highjacking
When the frontal lobe also processes the information at the same time the amygdala activates, to determine if it should act or not
How has the amygdala evolved?
It used to work in early humans for physical threats and now it acts upon psychological threats
What are some physical reactions to the fight or flight response?
Increase heart rate
Awareness intensifies
The immune system activates
What is the hippocampus’ primary role?
To store short term memories temporarily for their process to the long term memory
What are declarative memories?
Memories related to facts and events
What are spatial relationship memories?
Involve pathways or routes
Who was H.M. and why is he important in psychology?
A patient with severe amnesia after brain surgery
His case lead to research on memory
What condition did H.M. suffer from before his surgery?
Severe epileptic seizures after a bicycle accident.
What surgery did H.M. undergo in 1953?
Removal of parts of his hippocampus to stop seizures.
What type of amnesia did H.M. develop after surgery?
Severe anterograde amnesia and partial retrograde amnesia.
What type of memory was mostly affected in H.M.?
Declarative memory
Couldn’t form new episodic or semantic memories.
What type of memory remained intact in H.M.?
Procedural (implicit) memory
Procedural (implicit) memory—could learn new skills.
What task showed H.M. could learn new motor skills?
The star-tracing task—he improved over time without remembering doing it.
What did the star-tracing task demonstrate?
Procedural memory works independently of the hippocampus.
How did H.M. demonstrate spatial memory?
He could draw a floor plan of a new house he couldn’t consciously remember.
What did H.M.’s case reveal about memory systems?
The brain has multiple memory systems located in different areas.
What are key ethical concerns with H.M.’s case?
Inability to give informed consent due to memory loss.
Can findings from H.M. be generalized?
Cautiously—findings are supported by other similar case studies.
