Localisation of Brain Function

• What is localisation in the context of brain function?

  Different brain areas control different functions
• What does brain localisation refer to specifically?

  Link between brain structures and their functions
• What happens if a certain area of the brain is damaged?

  The associated function will also be affected
• What does the motor area in the frontal lobe control?

  Voluntary movement in the opposite body side
• What is Broca’s area responsible for?

  Speech production in the left frontal lobe
• What does the auditory area in the temporal lobe analyze?

  Speech-based information
• What happens if Wernicke’s area is damaged?

  Patients experience fluent speech but no sense
• What does the somatosensory area in the parietal lobe represent?

  Sensory information from the skin
• What does the visual area in the occipital lobe do?

  Processes information from each eye
• What are the criticisms of the localisation of brain function?

  • Lashley's equipotentiality theory suggests higher functions are not localised.
  • Case studies like Phineas Gage support localisation but have limitations.
  • Dronkers et al. (2007) found other areas may affect speech production.
  • Individual differences, such as gender, affect brain area sizes.
  • The theory is biologically reductionist, oversimplifying complex behaviors.
• What does Lashley's equipotentiality theory propose?

  Higher mental functions are not localised
• What evidence did Phineas Gage provide for localisation?

  Change in personality after brain injury
• What did Dronkers et al. (2007) find regarding Broca’s area?

  Other areas may contribute to speech production
• What did Herasty (1997) discover about Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas?

  Women have larger areas than men
• What does the criticism of beta bias in localisation imply?

  Ignores gender differences in brain function
• Why do critics argue that localisation is biologically reductionist?

  It oversimplifies complex human behaviors