Biopsychology 3- localisation of function in the brain

Localisation of function

The idea that specific functions are located in specific areas of the brain.

Motor cortex

Located in the frontal lobe; responsible for voluntary movement.

Somatosensory cortex

Located in the parietal lobe; processes sensory information such as touch.

Visual cortex

Located in the occipital lobe; processes visual information.

Auditory cortex

Located in the temporal lobe; processes sound information.

Broca’s area

Located in the left frontal lobe; responsible for speech production.

Wernicke’s area

Located in the left temporal lobe; responsible for language comprehension.

Hemispheric lateralisation

The idea that certain functions are more dominant in one hemisphere than the other.

What are the strengths of this theory?

+ Research support

• Neurosurgical evidence → Dougherty et al. success rate for OCD cingulotomy. Shows localisation has medical value.
  + Brain scan evidence

• Peterson et al. tasks activate Broca/Wernicke areas → objective, scientific.

What are the limitations of this theory?

• – Contradicting theory: equipotentiality

• Lashley: higher functions not localised; brain works as whole → challenges strict localisation.
  – Individual differences

• Women may have less lateralised language functions than men → localisation not universal.