Localisation of Function Flashcards
1.2 Biological Approach (26 cards)
Localisation of function
The idea that different parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviour / certain functions are localised to certain areas in the brain
Nervous system
A system of neurons - cells that perform the function of communication in the body
2 parts of nervous system
- Central nervous system - body’s master control unit
- Peripheral nervous system - body’s link to the outside world
2 parts of CNS
- spinal cord - column of nerves between brain and peripheral nervous system
- brain - divided into three major parts (hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain)
2 parts of PNS
- Automatic nervous system - regulates involuntary bodily processes subconsciously (heart rate, respiration, digestion etc.)
- Somatic nervous system - carries sensory info from sensory organs to CNS and relys motor movement commands to muscles (controls voluntary movements)
2 parts of automatic nervous system
- sympathetic nervous system - mobilises bodily resources in response to threat by speeding up heart rate and respiration (draws stored energy)
- parasympathetic nervous system - replenished bodily resources by promoting digestion and slowing other processes
Brain centers (5)
- motor center
- somatosensory center
- visual center
- auditory center
- language centers
Motor center (location, function, main areas)
- Frontal lobe (precentral gyrus)
- controls voluntary muscle movements
- main area: primary motor cortex
Somatosensory center (location, function, main areas)
- Parietal lobe (postcentral gyrus)
- processes sensory information from the body
- main area: primary somatosensory cortex
Visual center (location, function, main areas)
- Occipital lobe
- processes visual information
- main area: primary visual cortex
Auditory center (location, function, main areas)
- Temporal lobe
- processes auditory information
- main area: primary auditory cortex
Language centers (location, function, main areas)
- Left hemisphere (usually)
- involved in language comprehension and production
- main areas: Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area
Wernicke’s area
Used for understanding language, allowing individuals to comprehend spoken and written words
* damage: fluent but often nonsensical speech and comprehension issues
Broca’s area
Used for producing language, enabling individuals to form coherent sentences
* damage: difficulty in speech productiin - non-fluent, effortful speech
Lobes of the brain (4)
- front: frontal lobe
- top middle: parietal lobe
- both sides: temporal lobe
- top back: occipital lobe
- top of nape: cerebellum
and bellow: brainstem
Frontal lobe (function, areas found, psychological perspective)
Role in executive functions such as planning, decision-making and problem-solving
* motor cortex and Broca’s area located here
* psychological perspective: understanding personality, behaviour and social interactions
* influence impulse control and emotional regulation
Parietal lobe (function, areas found, psychological perspective)
Processes sensory information from body (touch, temp and pain)
* integral for spatial awareness and navigation
* somatosensory center and cortex are found here
* psychological perspective: exploring concepts related to perception and sensory integration - how people interact with and percieve their surroundings and how these contribute to sensory processing disorders
Occipital lobe (function, areas found, psychological perspective)
Visual processing (allows ppl to recognise shapes, colours and movement)
* visual center and cortex found here
* psychological perspective: studying perception, visual memory and conditions
Temporal lobe (function, areas found, psychological perspective)
Key for auditor processing involving hearing and language comprehension as well as in memory formation (verbal and visual)
* Auditory center found here as well as Wernicke’s area
* psychological perspective: studying language aquisition, memory processing, emotional responses
Limbic system
Compley set of brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, memory and behaviour regulation
Amygdala
Plays a role in the formation of emotional memory and fear responses
Basal ganglia
Plays a role in habit-forming and procedural memory
Hippocampus
Responsible for the transfer of short-term memory to long-term memory
Hypothalamus
Involved in homeostasis, emotion, thirst, hunger, circadian rhythms, and control of the autonomic nervous system (+ controls the pituitary gland)
