SAQ 2: Explain localization of function

• Localization


  Specific behaviors can be attributed to specific parts of the brain
• Early research into localization

  • Not entirely conclusive
  • Certain parts of the brain were responsible for certain behaviors
• Early researchers


  • Broca
  • Wernicke
• Weak localization


  Memory was discovered to be localized in particular areas of the brain rather than a specific part
• Structural components of the brain

  Can be identified using brain imaging technologies when people are using their spatial and episodic memory
• Hippocampus


  • In the medial temporal area in the cortex
  • Used to show localization
  • Several brain areas are responsible for the same function
• Draganski's study


  1. Sample of people with no prior experience with juggling

  2. IV: people juggling and non-jugglers

  3. DV: structural changes in the brain

  4. Jugglers practiced for 3 months, then 3 months of no practice

  5. Non-jugglers never practiced

  6. 3 MRI brain scans: before, 3 months in, 6 months in
• Before the experiment


  No differences in the participants
• 3 months into the experiment


  Increase in grey matter in the mid-temporal area of the cortex in both hemispheres
• After 6 months


  Differences decreased in the jugglers, but had more grey matter than from the first MRI scan
• Draganski's study


  • Proved that grey matter grows with demands of the environment and decreases with absence of stimulation
  • Localization plays a role in human behavior
  • Established a cause and effect relationship with learning and brain structure
  • Grey matter in the hippocampus and area in the mid temporal lobe of the cortex grows with practice
• MRI scans


  • Gives an objective measure of the growth and shrinkage of the brain
  • Shows that the brain has different areas responsible for localizing behaviors
• Hippocampus


  Plays a crucial role in converting experiences from memories from short term to long term memory
• Localization is shown in various parts of the brain that behavior is being localized and that grey matter increases with learning practice