Biopsychology

• Localisation of function


  The theory that different areas of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours, processes and activities
• Cerebral cortex

  Brain is split into two hemispheres and is surrounded by the cerebral cortex which covers the inner parts of the brain

  • Cortex is 3mm thick and is what separates us from different animals as human cortex is much more developed
  • Cortex of both hemispheres is subdivided into 4 lobes: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe
• Where is the motor cortex located?

  Back of the frontal lobe
• What is the role of the motor cortex?

  Controls voluntary movement on the contralateral side of the body
• What happens if the motor cortex is damaged?

  Loss of fine movements
• Where is the somatosensory cortex located?

  Front of parietal lobe
• What is the role of the somatosensory cortex?

  Represents sensory information from the skin (e.g. touch and heat

  • The more sensitive an area, the more space it takes in the somatosensory cortex
• What happens if the somatosensory cortex is damaged?

  Loss of sense
• Where is the visual cortex located?

  In the occipital lobe
• What is the role of the visual cortex?

  Information from the right visual field is sent to the left visual cortex and vice versa
• What is happened if the visual cortex is damaged?

  Loss of specific area in the visual field
• Where is the auditory cortex located?

  In the temporal lobe
• What is the role of the auditory cortex?

  Analyses speech based information
• What happens if the auditory cortex is damaged?

  Partial hearing loss
• Where is Wernicke's area located?

  In the left temporal lobe
• What is Wernicke's area responsible for?

  Responsible for language comprehension
• What happens if Wernicke's area is damaged?

  People produce nonsense words i.e. speak fluently but the words are meaningless
• Where is Broca's area located?

  Small area of the left frontal lobe
• What is the role of Broca's area?

  Responsible for speech production
• What happens if Broca's area is damaged?

  Results in slow speech that lacks accuracy
• What is Wernicke's area and Broca's area an example of?

  Localisation - they are located within specific area of the brain i.e. in the left hemisphere which is known as lateralisation
• Localisation of function in the brain EVALUATION

  • Brain scan evidence: Peterson
  • Gage case study
  • Functional recovery
• Plasticity 


  Describes the brain's tendency to change and adapt functionally and physically as a result of new experience and new learning
• Nervous system 


  A specialised network of cells in the human body + is our primary internal communication system

  • Collects, processes + responds to information in the environment
  • Co-ordinates the working of different organs + cells in the body