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IB SL/HL Pyschology (biological approaches to behaviour): Explain one study related to localization of function in the brain (9 marks)
A level 7 explaining one study related to localization of function in the brain.
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Explain one study related to localization of function in the brain [8] SQUIRE- Eugene Pauly [1992]
Localization of function within the brain is a concept based on the idea that certain areas within the
brain serve specific and specialized functions in terms of cognitive processes and behaviour, for
example memory, language and perception. For example, neuroscientists believe that the
amygdala plays a role in monitoring emotional functions. This concept stems from the principle of
the biological level of analysis stating that there are biological correlates to behaviour and hence
certain behaviours can be traced down to their physiological origin using methods such as brain
imaging techniques and blood tests.
The case study of Eugene Pauly (EP) was a unique one that presented structural brain damage
that differed from any previous cases. At age 70, EP suffered from viral encephalitis (swelling of
the brain) which led to this damage. Although EP physically recovered from this disease, his
behaviour was permanently affected. Larry Squire attempted to deepen our modern understanding
of how memory works in relation to specific functions within the brain through the study of EP’s
condition. EP underwent several Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans, which showed severe
damage to his hippocampus and cerebral cortex, areas believed to be related to memory,
problem-solving and reasoning. The scans also showed that his basal ganglia (an interior portion
of the brain) to be undamaged. EP also underwent psychometric testing to investigate his
cognitive impairment, however his IQ was 103 which was deemed to be normal. Observational
studies showed that EP could remember procedural tasks, such as going from the living room to
the bathroom, however when asked to show on a floor map how he went from room to room, he
was unable to do so. Similarly, EP was able to walk around the neighbourhood, however if he was
presented with an obstacle or distraction he would no longer be able to find his way home.
Interviews with EP and his family revealed that often, EP would perform tasks multiple times, such
as eating breakfast, without realising and remembering that he already had. EP was found to have
very little memory of his recent adulthood years, yet had exceptional memory of the time period 3
decades before, all of which was verified by his wife. Although EP was able to learn new tasks,
such as being able to draw with a mirror, he was unable to remember learning these tasks, and
they had to be triggered by a certain cue in order for him to carry them out.
EP’s case study elicited the differences between procedural memory and declarative memory. The
structural damage to EP’s hippocampus and amygdala was correlated with his inability to form
new procedural memories, and the maintenance of his basal ganglia was correlated with his ability
to remember procedural memories, defined as memories that are repeated many times and so
become procedural e.g. his walk around the neighbourhood. EP’s case study allowed
development of psychological understanding of memory formation. It was previously thought that
memory relied solely on the hippocampus. When learning new memories, this is a cognitive task
that requires the use of areas such as the hippocampus and the complex and extensive neural
networks found within this structure. Learning this new task and forming new neural connections
requires a lot of energy however, and therefore when a task becomes procedural and no longer
requires so much higher order processing, the neural connections form within the basal ganglia
instead to conserve energy. This explains why EP had associative memories but could not form
new declarative memories.
Case studies of brain damage allow researchers to study complex brain structural changes without
having to use unethical invasive techniques such as ablation and lesioning. The concept of
localization of function can take a reductionist approach however in assuming that each part of the
brain carries out separate specialised functions when in reality they all form part of an
interconnecting neural network.
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