What is meant by localisation of function in the brain?

The theory that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific cognitive functions or behaviours, rather than the brain operating as a whole.

Define hemispheric lateralisation.

The idea that the two hemispheres of the brain are functionally different, with certain mental processes and behaviours being controlled predominantly by one hemisphere rather than the other.

Where is the motor cortex located in the brain?

In the frontal lobe, specifically in the precentral gyrus.

What is the function of the motor cortex and which side of the body does it control?

It controls voluntary movement on the contralateral (opposite) side of the body.

In which lobe and gyrus is the somatosensory cortex found?

In the parietal lobe, in the postcentral gyrus.

What types of sensory information does the somatosensory cortex process?

Sensory information from the skin including touch, pressure, temperature and pain from the contralateral side of the body.

AQA A-Level Psychology 7182

Social Influence

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Biopsychology

Topic overview Divisions of the nervous system Structure and function of neurons and synaptic transmission The endocrine system The fight or flight response Ways of studying the brain Localisation of function and hemispheric lateralisation Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain after trauma Biological rhythms: circadian, infradian and ultradian

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RelationshipsOption 1

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Biopsychology

Localisation of function and hemispheric lateralisation

5 things to know
Paper 2

Overview

The main cortical areas and what each does, the brain areas responsible for speech production and language understanding, hemispheric lateralisation, and split-brain research by Sperry and Gazzaniga.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is meant by localisation of function?

Key term

Where do the four main cortical areas sit, and what does each do?

Key term

Which brain areas handle speech production and language understanding?

Study

What did split-brain research by Sperry and Gazzaniga involve and find?

Evaluation

How strong is the evidence for localisation of function?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is meant by localisation of function in the brain?
Model answer
The theory that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific cognitive functions or behaviours, rather than the brain operating as a whole.
2
Define hemispheric lateralisation.
Model answer
The idea that the two hemispheres of the brain are functionally different, with certain mental processes and behaviours being controlled predominantly by one hemisphere rather than the other.
3
Where is the motor cortex located in the brain?
Model answer
In the frontal lobe, specifically in the precentral gyrus.
4
What is the function of the motor cortex and which side of the body does it control?
Model answer
It controls voluntary movement on the contralateral (opposite) side of the body.
5
In which lobe and gyrus is the somatosensory cortex found?
Model answer
In the parietal lobe, in the postcentral gyrus.
6
What types of sensory information does the somatosensory cortex process?
Model answer
Sensory information from the skin including touch, pressure, temperature and pain from the contralateral side of the body.

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Social Influence

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Attachment

Approaches in Psychology

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