Localisation of function AO3

• Szaflarski (2006) found that lateralisation patterns shift with age
• Szaflarski (2006) found most tasks generally became less lateralised in healthy adulthood.
• This suggests that conclusions on localised and lateralised functioning need to take into account the role of age and experience.
• Szaflarski (2006) found differences between young children's brains with regards to lateralised abilities.
• The case study of HM supports the theory of localisation of function
• HM damaged his hippocampus during surgery for epilepsy and sustained irreversible damage to his memory.
• There is research support from human case studies of the loss of specific abilities after brain damage.
• The plasticity of brain functions argues that localisation of function is incorrect .
• Recent research into the plasticity of the brain shows that key areas for key functions can be changed due to functional recovery after brain injury.
• Buckner & Petersen (1996) confirm that memories are localised in the brain.
• It may be that simpler functions are more localised in the brain. (eg - motor control) but more sophisticated aspects of the brain can change if necessasry.