Summary notes for biopsychology topic in AQA Psychology A level. Each subtopic is broken down into 6 points for description and 4 - 5 points for evaluation, it is written in short form to ensure that it is as direct and easy to memorise as possible. From localisation of function onwards (not includ...
From Localisation of function in the brain onwards
Localisation of function in the brain
Description:
1. Holistic theory replaced by localisation theory. Brain divided into two hemispheres
and lateralised. Generally left side controlled by right, right side controlled by left
hemisphere.
2. Outer layer of brain is called cerebral cortex. High developed, separates us from lower
animals.
3. Cerebral cortex divided into four lobes – frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal.
4. In frontal lobe = motor area, in parietal lobe = somatosensory, occipital = visual, and
temporal = auditory
5. Broca’s area left frontal lobe, speech production. Damage = lack of speech fluency,
slow speech, and difficulty finding words. Broca’s aphasia = struggling with ‘a’, ‘the’
and ‘and’ etc.
6. Wernicke’s area = language understanding. Producing fluent speech but can’t
understand it. (neologisms = nonsense words as a part of their speech)
Evaluation:
1. + Support from neurosurgery (used to treat mental disorders). 44 people with OCD
with cingulotomy. 30% successful response. 14% partial response. Behaviours may
be localised.
2. + Support from brain scan evidence. Brain scans showed activity in Wernicke’s areas
for listening task and Broca’s for reading task. Another study of LTM showed
semantic and episodic = localised.
3. CP: Lashley removed areas of the cortex in rats learning a maze route. No area proven
to be more important than any other area in terms of rat’s ability to learn the route.
Process of learning seemed to require every part of cortex rather than being confined
to one. Suggests not localised, distributed more holistically.
4. - Language localisation model questions. Researchers believe language is in more
places. fMRI identified regions in right hemisphere and thalamus.
Hemispheric lateralisation and split – brain research
Description:
1. The brain is lateralised (two hemispheres). Some functions are localised (appear in
both hemispheres) e.g. auditory, visual, motor, somatosensory
2. Two main language centres in LH. RH produces basic words with emotional context.
LH – analyser, RH – synthesiser.
3. Contralateral – right controls left, left controls right (cross-wired)
4. Ipsilateral – LVF connected to RH, RVF connected to LH. Enables visual areas to
compare different perspectives, aids depth perception. Same for auditory.
5. Sperry: Split-brain research. 11 participants studied. Image to RVF (processed by LH)
vice versa.
, 6. Shown to one hemisphere not processed by other. RVF – describing, LVF, can’t name
object, can select matching, associated picture. Pin up picture- participant giggled
reported seeing nothing. LH verbal, RH ‘silent’ but emotional.
Evaluation:
1. + Evidence lateralised = normal. PET scans showed when normal participants look at
images, RH more active. Focusing on more detail = LH more active. Lateralisation =
feature of normal + split brain.
2. - Analyser vs synthesiser = wrong? Different functions but people do not have a
dominant side. 1000 brain scans analysed, no dominance. No ‘artist’ brain etc.
3. + Support from recent split-brain studies – split-brain participants better at identifying
odd one out. Normal brain = processing abilities ‘watered down’ by RH. Shows
hemispheres are distinct in functions and abilities.
4. - Causal relationships = hard to establish. Sperry’s research compared to neurotypical
control group. None of control group had epilepsy. Confounding variable. Some
features of split-brain participants could be due to epilepsy.
Plasticity and functional recovery of the brain
Description:
1. Brain is ‘plastic’. Synaptic connections grow from birth peaking at 2-3 years. As we
age connections are deleted and strengthened, can be changed any time due to
learning experience.
2. Taxi driver study – Maguire and others found more volume of grey matter in posterior
hippocampus for taxi drivers than a control group (higher spatial/ navigational skills).
Completed a knowledge test – showed a structural difference.
3. Plasticity supported by research on learning, Draganski imaged brain scans of medical
students 3 months before and after exams. Changes seen in the posterior hippocampus
and parietal cortex as a result of learning.
4. Functional recover of brain after trauma – healthy brain areas take over. Occurs
quickly after trauma (spontaneous recovery) which then slows down (person may
require rehabilitative therapy).
5. Brain ‘rewires’ itself by forming new synaptic connections close to area of damage.
Secondary neural pathways activated to enable functioning to continue.
6. Structural changes = axonal sprouting (new nerve endings connect to undamaged
cells). Denervation super sensitivity (axons higher level to compensate). Recruitment
of homologous (similar areas) opposite side takes over e.g. language production
Evaluation:
1. - Possible negative behavioural consequences. Prolonged drug use = increased risk of
dementia. 60-80% of amputees have phantom limb syndrome. Brains ability to adapt
= not always beneficial and may lead to physical and psychological problems.
2. + Plasticity may not decline sharply with age. 40 hours of golf training changed
neural representations in 40–60-year-olds. fMRI = motor cortex activity increased
compared to control group = positive effects, continues throughout life span.
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