Localisation

• What is the theory of localisation in the brain?

  It is the theory that specific areas of the brain are associated with particular physical and psychological functions.
• How did scientists approach the study of the brain before the 19th century?

  They took a holistic approach to the brain.
• Which area of the brain is associated with voluntary movement?

  The motor cortex.
• What does the term "contralateral" mean in relation to the motor cortex?

  Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body.
• How are different parts of the motor cortex arranged?

  They are arranged logically, with regions controlling adjacent body parts.
• Where is the somatosensory cortex located?

  In the parietal lobe.
• What type of information is represented in the somatosensory cortex?

  Sensory information from the skin.
• Which body parts receive the most representation in the somatosensory cortex?

  The face and hands.
• How does the somatosensory cortex process sensory information?

  The cortex on one side of the brain receives sensory information from the opposite side of the body.
• Where is the visual cortex located?

  In the occipital lobe.
• How does the visual cortex receive information?

  Nerve impulses are sent via the optic nerve to areas of the brain.
• What does the visual cortex process?

  Different types of visual information such as colour, shape, and movement.
• Where is the auditory cortex located?

  In the temporal lobe of both hemispheres.
• How are sound waves processed in the auditory cortex?

  Sound waves are converted to nerve impulses.
• What preference do people have regarding ear usage for processing sound?

  People prefer to be told things by their right ear, which is processed by the left hemisphere.
• In which hemisphere are language areas processed?

  In the left hemisphere only.
• What part of the brain is responsible for speech production?

  The left frontal lobe.
• What part of the brain is responsible for language comprehension?

  The left temporal lobe.
• What is Broca's area responsible for?

  Speech production.
• What happens if Broca's area is damaged?

  It leads to Broca's Aphasia, where speech is slow and not fluent.
• Who was Broca's patient and what could he say?

  Broca's patient was named Tan, and that was all he could say.
• What is Wernicke's area responsible for?

  Language comprehension.
• What happens if Wernicke's area is damaged?

  It leads to Wernicke's Aphasia, where patients produce fluent but meaningless language.
• What are the strengths of the localisation theory?

  • Support from case studies (e.g., Phineas Gage)
  • Support from brain scanning studies (e.g., Peterson 1988)
  • Support from neurosurgery procedures (e.g., Dougherty's cingulotomy)
• What are the weaknesses of the localisation theory?

  • Some functions appear not to be localised (e.g., Lashley's study on learning)
  • Evidence of brain plasticity (e.g., stroke recovery)
• What did Phineas Gage's case demonstrate regarding localisation?

  It showed that damage to the frontal lobe could result in a change in mood and personality.
• What did Peterson's brain scanning study reveal?

  Wernicke's area was active during a listening task and Broca's area during a reading task.
• What does the success of cingulotomy procedures suggest?

  It indicates that symptoms and behaviours associated with serious mental disorders are localised.
• What did Lashley's study on rats suggest about learning?

  Learning seems to require all parts of the cortex, not localised to specific areas.
• What does evidence of brain plasticity imply about localisation?

  It suggests that localisation of function is not fixed, as the brain can recover lost functions.
• How can the brain recover lost functions after damage?

  Other areas can take on the functions of damaged areas and form new connections.