Localisation of brain function

• What is the theory of localisation of function in the brain?

  It states that different parts of the brain are specialised for processing different functions.
• What does the motor cortex control?

  Voluntary movements.
• How does the motor cortex function in relation to body muscles?

  Each side controls muscles on the opposite side of the body.
• Where is the motor cortex located?

  In the frontal lobe.
• What does the somatosensory cortex process?

  Information from our senses relating to pain, pressure, temperature, etc.
• Where is the somatosensory cortex located?

  In the parietal lobe.
• What type of information does the visual cortex process?

  Visual information such as colour, shape, and movement.
• Where is the visual cortex located?

  In the occipital lobe.
• What does the auditory cortex process?

  Auditory information such as pitch, tone, and loudness.
• Where is the auditory cortex located?

  In the temporal lobe on each side of the brain.
• What is Broca's Area responsible for?

  Speech production.
• What did Broca find regarding lesions in Broca's Area?

  Lesions in the left hemisphere caused speech production problems.
• Where is Broca's Area located?

  In the left frontal lobe.
• What is Wernicke's Area responsible for?

  Language understanding.
• What did Wernicke find regarding lesions in Wernicke's Area?

  Lesions in this area allowed speech production but impaired language comprehension.
• Where is Wernicke's Area located?

  In the left temporal lobe.
• What are the strengths and limitations of the theory of localisation of function?

  Strengths:

  • Supportive evidence from studies like Peterson et al.
  • Scientific evidence shows different brain areas are specialised.

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Too simplistic; complex functions are not localised.
  • Evidence for functional recovery challenges localisation.
• What did Peterson et al. find regarding brain activity during tasks?

  There was increased activity in Broca's area when reading aloud and in Wernicke's area when listening to conversation.
• What does the equipotentiality theory argue?

  More complex cognitive functions are not localised and can be found in many areas of the brain.
• What does evidence for functional recovery suggest about the brain?

  Other parts of the brain can take over functions lost due to damage.
• Who argued that other parts of the brain can take over functions after damage?

  Lashley.
• What does the theory of localisation of function provide about brain processing?

  It gives a simplistic picture of how the brain processes information.