The brain and behavior Flashcards
(14 cards)
Localization of function
the theory that certain areas
of the brain are responsible for certain psychological
functions
Strict localization
the idea that there is a clear
correspondence between psychological functions and
brain areas, and that all functions can be clearly mapped
onto the brain
Weak localization
the idea that one brain area may
be responsible for a function, but not exclusively, and
other areas may also take over the function
Widely distributed functions
functions that cannot
be localized anywhere in the brain
State the different types of brain imaging technologies used at the BLA (Biological level of Analysis)
PET: Positron Emission Topography
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
fMRI: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
EEG: Electroencephalogram
CAT: Computerised Axial Tomography
Tan was a patient who lost the ability to speak or write, but had functions such as intelligence and speech comprehension. He understood everything but whenever he tried to communicate the only syllable he could say was, “tan”. This condition which was the loss of articulated speech, became known as Broca’s aphasia. When Tan died, an autopsy was performed and it was discovered that his brain had a very specific lesion (wound) in the left hemisphere, in the posterior inferior frontal gyrus. This brain
region is now known as Broca’s area. Carl Wernicke did similar case studies in 1874 and discovered the brain area responsible for written and verbal communication.
Broca and Wernicke’s Aphasia. (loss of ability to understand or express speech, caused by brain damage.)
-Case study of Paul Broca (1861) and Wernicke (1874).
__________ used the method of neural stimulation, he stimulated various parts of the cortex with electrodes
while the patient was awake and observed the effects
this stimulation had on sensations and behaviour. Little by little he covered the whole cortex and created the cortical
homunculus, a map that shows the relative representation
of various parts of the body in the cortex.
Wilder Penfield
BROCA’S APHASIA AND WERNICKE’S APHASIA
The first case studies used __________ examination of the brains of patients with unique speech disorders. Results
of these studies inspired the idea of strict localization. It appeared that the production of ________ is
localized in Broca’s area, and _______________ in Wernicke’s area.
post-mortem, Articulate Speech, Speech Comprehension
___________ attempts to establish strict localization of function have
culminated in the creation of cortical maps.
WILDER PENFIELD—MAPPING SENSORY AND MOTOR CORTEX
WILDER PENFIELD—MAPPING SENSORY AND MOTOR CORTEX
Attempts to establish strict localization of function have
culminated in the creation of cortical maps.
Karl Lashley found that some psychological functions are distributed rather than localized. What was his study?
He tested rats that were trained to find food in a maze. Then he removed 10%-50% of their brain on different trials and observed the results. He found that other parts of the brain can take over when one part is induced with damage. Memory is also dependent on the amount that is removed rather than the location of the lesion. Lashley concluded that memory
is not localized; it is widely distributed across the cortex as a whole.
Describe localization
Brain localization is the idea that certain areas of the brain correspond with certain functions
The accumulated body of evidence suggests that localization of function in the human brain is relative. This idea of _______ localization includes the following aspects.
– Some functions are indeed strictly localized. Examples
include _______________.
– Some functions such as memory are widely distributed.
Refer to __________ research for an example.
– Some functions are weakly localized rather than strictly—
several brain areas are responsible for the same function, such as the split brain research.
relative, Broca’s Aphasia and Wernicke’s Aphasia, Karl Lashley’s,
Localization is not static: brain areas can respecialize due
to _________.
neuroplasticity
