Localisation of function and hemispheric lateralisation Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is localisation of function?
It is the idea that specific brain areas are specialised for certain functions e.g the motor cortex is responsible for voluntary movement. Only this area of the brain is responsible for this
What is the idea of hemispheric lateralisation?
The idea that the brain is split into two symmetrical halves called the right and left hemisphere
Hemispheric lateralisation is the idea that…
the two different hemispheres are responsible for different mental processes e.g the left hemisphere is responsible for language and the right is responsible for recognition and creativity
What is holistic theory?
Before investigations were made into localisation and lateralisation, scientists believed that all parts of the brain worked together when processing information
What is broca’s area responsible for?
It is responsible for the production of spoken and written language
What can damage to broca’s area result in?
It can result in broca’s aphasia where a person may show slow speech that lacks fluency or there is a complete abscence of speech
What might people with broca’s aphasia produce?
They may produce short meaningful speech which requires a great deal of effort
Where is the auditory cotrex located?
both hemispheres
What is the auditory cortex associated with?
It is associated with analysing speech based information e.g hearing pitch and volume
What could damage to the auditory cortex result in?
Damage to the auditory cortex could result in partial hearing loss to full hearing loss
Where is the motor cortex located?
both hemispheres
What is the motor cortex involved in?
The motor cortex is involved in the creation of voluntary motor movements
How does contralateral wiring function in the motor cortex?
Each hemisphere controls the movement of the opposite side of the body
What can damage to the motor cortex cause?
It can cause a loss of control over fine movements, small movements on the opposite side of the body
Where is the somatosensory located?
Both hemispheres
What is the function of the somatosensory cortex?
It processes information from the senses in the skin. This includes touch, pressure, pain and temperature from all areas of the body
What can damage to the somatosensory cortex cause?
It can cause problems in percieving touch, failure to recognise objects by touch
Where is the visual cortex located?
It is located in both hemispheres
Where does the visual cortex recieve information from?
It recieves information directly from the eyes and processes information such as colour and shape
Information shown to the right visual field is processed by the…
left hemisphere
information shown to the left visual field is processed by the…
right hemisphere
What can damage to the visual cortex result in?
It can result in blindness, hallucinations or an inibility to see colours or motion
Where is Wernickes area located
in the left hemisphere
What is Wernickes area involved in?
the understanding of language
