Biological approach to behaviour HL IB PSYCHOLOGY

Localisation of function

Specific areas of the brain are responsible, for specific functions

Localisation of function evaluation

T: Testable (e.g., brain imaging studies).

E: Empirical support (e.g., Milner, Broca).

A: Applications in understanding brain injury and disorders.

C: Reductionist (focuses on specific regions).

U: Universality debated (some brain functions distributed).

P: Predictive power for behavior after brain damage.

Milner 1966

Case study of HM

Milner Aim

Investigate the role of the hippocampus in memory formation

Milner sample

HM - case study. A man with severe epilepsy who had his hippocampus separated

Milner method

Longitudinal case study over decades

1. Interviews, HM and family were interviewed about his memory problems

2. Cognitive tests, HM performed tasks like drawing a star by looking at its reflection in a mirror (procedural memory)

3. Observation, HM’s daily behaviour was observed to asses his ability to form new memories

4. Brain imaging, MRI scans were later used to analyse the precise brain regions affected

Milner Results

HM could not form new episodic memories but his procedural memory was intact. The hippocampus was identified as critical for transferring STM to LTM

Milner evaluation

Strengths - detailed data from multiple sources ) triangulation)

Weakness - low generalisability (case study)

Broca 1861

Tan case study

Broca aim

Investigate the role of the frontal lobe in speech production

Broca sample

Tan - named for his inability to say more than the word “tan”

Broca method

Observation: Broca studied Tan’s speech difficulties during his lifetime.

Post-Mortem Analysis: After Tan’s death, Broca examined his brain to determine the area responsible for speech production.

Broca results

Tan had damage to the left frontal lobe (now known as Brocas area).

This area was linked to speech production, while comprehension remained intact.

Broca evaluation

Strengths: First evidence linking specific brain areas to specific functions.

Limitations: Methods were primitive, and findings were based on a single case.