Discuss research on localisation of brain function.

(16)

AO1

Define: theory that claims different areas of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours,
processes, or activities.
Two hemispheres that are contralateral. The outer layer is the cortex which is divided into lobes that
have localised functions.

PARIETAL: sensory info

TEMPORAL: auditory info
OCCIPITAL: visual info
FRONTAL: motor skills and higher-level thinking

Somatosensory area: in the parietal, sensory information is presented here.

Motor area: in the frontal lobe, controls voluntary movement.
Auditory area: in the temporal lobe, processes speech-based info.
Broca’s area: in frontal lobe, produces language/speech.
Wernicke’s area: in the temporal lobe, responsible for language comprehension.

Phineas gage: accident through his frontal lobe. Caused behaviour change. Conclusion: frontal lobe
linked to mood.
Leborgne: lost ability to speak without injury. Only could say ‘tan’. Post mortem concluded he had
damage to left frontal cortex called broca’s area.

Broca’s area active during reading task, Wernicke’s active during listening task.

AO3

Evaluation #1
Lots of supporting evidence. PG, Leborgne, Petersen. Varied types: post mortems, brain scans, case
studies etc. Findings are solid. However, recent study found Tan’s brain had other damaged areas that
could have resulted in his language failure. This questions whether or not the Broca’s area is specific
to language.

Evaluation #2
Localised function is criticised. Equipotentially theory: higher mental functions cannot be localised.
Rats had large amounts of their cortexes removed. They could still do mazes. The whole brain worked
to allow them to do this, not specific parts. BUT this is a study with rats and we are human…

Evaluation #3
Plasticity can criticise localisation. This is when the brain can compensate for damaged areas. After
injury, we can regain functions. Weakness because it says neurons can adapt to carry out damaged
areas’ functions. Doesn’t support localisation. Similarly it was found that braille readers had larger
somatosensory areas. The brain is adaptable so individual differences need to be accounted for.