StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
As the paper "What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain?" tells, the brain is a wonder in its own that men tried to discover its varied mysteries. Enlightenment gradually is being shed as studies become more and more easily supported by means brought about by technology…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.7% of users find it useful
What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain"

?Full Localization of Brain Function The brain is a wonder in its own that men tried to discover its varied mysteries. Enlightenment gradually is being shed as studies become more and more easily supported by means brought about by technology. In the study of psychology, experiments and researches about the brain have proven to be treasures to understanding the functions of the parts of the brain and eventually efficiently helping patients. The discovery of localization of function in the brain is a breakthrough both in the medical as well as the psychological field of study. Paul Broca, a French doctor is probably one of the fundamental key players in the discovery of the localization of functions in the brain (Glassman 45). Working at an insane asylum at Bicetre in 1861, Broca met a patient who was not able to speak coherently after a head trauma that later led him to conduct an autopsy on the man’s brain and successfully demonstrated that what the man suffered from was due to some damage on a specific part of his brain (Glassman 45, Santrock 48, Serendip). From this point, further studies were conducted and until today, are progressing not only to satisfy the curiosity in man but most importantly, to help cure patients suffering from brain malfunctions. Considering divisions in the brain, early anatomists assumed that specific parts of the brain perform specific functions (Glassman 50) and true enough, recent studies established such assumptions. Among the famous contributors to the study of the functions of the brain is a German physician named Franz Joseph Gall who theorized that the bumps and depressions in the skull had something to do with personality and intelligence (Santrock 48, Serendip, Sabatini). He proposed maps for the bumps and dents called phrenology maps which were rejected by his contemporaries however; the basic idea of his theory about specific functions of certain brain parts was widely embraced by scientists not only during his time but by modern researchers as well. Great physicians and scientists could still be enumerated, considering their contributions to the success of what physicians, psychologists and scientists these days but that would be beyond this paper’s objective. Instead the discussion of the totality of all the discoveries, follow. Divided into two hemispheres, the right hemisphere of the cortex was found to be responsible to the control of the left side of the body while the left hemisphere controls its opposite (Glassman 50, Feldman 79, Santrock 100). Plotnik (p. 74, 2005) and Feldman (82, 2008) describe the cortex as a thin layer of cells covering the forebrain which amazingly, still is divided into four lobes having more specific functions. He further discusses the frontal lobe as responsible for the accomplishment of the use of voluntary muscles, translating and executing emotions, behaving in an accepted manner, controlling actions and character and being attentive (p. 75). This, he said was proven by a case involving Phineas Gage, a foreman in Vermont in 1848 who met an accident at work, surviving from a 3.5 feet long, 1.25 inches thick and 13 pound-rod that crossed his head entering his frontal lobe and crashing his eye. After the surgery, the foreman exhibited drastic changes in his personality from being friendly to impatient. His decision making was also affected leading him to making promises he was not able to keep (Plotnik 75). This event is just one of the many cases that has furthered and established the assumption of being attentive and the acquisition of social rules and moral behaviors (Plotnik 76) which is very essential to a psychologist’s understanding and managing of patients. Other important parts of the brain that need to be magnified in the field of psychology are the hypothalamus and amygdala. The hypothalamus is formed by groups of neuron cell bodies that affect a person’s sexual behavior, temperature regulation, sleeping, eating, drinking, aggression and the expression of emotion (Passer & Smith 99). These functions are primarily important issues a psychologist would need to consider in psychological treatments because alteration in such behaviors would suggest damage to the hypothalamus. The amygdala on the other hand is responsible in organizing emotional response patterns like aggression and fear (Passer & Smith 100) so that it is equally important in the study of behavioral psychology. Discussing all the parts of the brain and their functions would take long so that the most important parts in relation to psychology will suffice in this paper. Another important issue to consider would be the question whether all psychological processes are localized. The same studies that were discussed and many more have shown from the various references used in this paper that claiming a specific function is concentrated to only one part of the brain. A particular functionality may be greatly involved in a region of the brain but does not imply that other parts of the brain can not recognize these functions rather limitations would be of a more proper term to use in the functioning of the other parts of the brain. This knowledge would keep the psychologist in maintaining an open consideration with the condition of patients who exhibit similar symptoms. The study of the complexities of the brain sure has a long way yet to go and to this day, scientists can not yet give a hundred percent assurance that the developments in their studies are precise. Currently, the information available to modern psychologists are proving to be essential in their field, making dealing with patients more focused, with a road early scientists and psychologists have trodden and proven to have been efficiently useful. Gratitude to such efforts indeed is endorsed for the avoidance of those who are involved in the field to grope in the dark for information. Being enlightened with the available information about the brain and its functions, psychologists could brightly look at attending to patients rather than experimenting on them. In addition, the invention of essential instruments in the diagnosis of brain damages like the electroencephalograph (EEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are also a great help in such diagnoses (Glassman 55, Grimm, Hahn, Hellenbrand, Kunkele, Laumanns & Leinburger 172, 174). With the case of Phineas that was mentioned earlier, frontal lobotomy, a surgical procedure where almost one-third of the brain is removed, helped a lot in managing neurological problems. Thankfully, to the advantage of the field, Plotnik (75) said the use of frontal lobotomy as treatment led researchers to set a standard that is, to carefully consider follow-up work as essential before declaring the treatment successful. Second is the discovery of the many different and important functions of the frontal lobe which should be hardly ignored by psychologists. Consequently, such studies have convinced some researchers to suggest brain surgery as a more efficient management to prisoners who are involved in violent crimes (Glassman 328). As researches progress and researchers continue the pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the human brain, it would also be an important verve for one getting involved in the study of psychology to enhance his knowledge through personal researches. As other fields learn to get a grasp of the information in psychology for a successful career, the psychologist would greatly benefit as well from such a sacrifice. References Feldman, Robert S. Essentials of Understanding Psychology (7th Edition). New York: Mc-Graw Hill Companies, Inc., 2008. Print. Feldman, Robert S. Understanding Psychology (8th Edition). New York: Mc-Graw Hill Companies, Inc., 2008. Print. Glassman, William E. Approaches to Psychology (3rd Edition). Philadelphia, USA: Open University Press, 2000. Print. Grimm, Alexander, Christoph Hahn, Ulrich Hellenbrand, Ute Kunkele, Horst Laumanns and Ralph Leinburger. Science and Technology. New York: Parragon, n.d. Print. Passer, Michael W. and Ronald E. Smith. Psychology: Frontiers & Applications. New York: Mc-Graw Hill Companies, Inc., 2001. Print Plotnik, Rod. Introduction to Psychology (7th Edition). USA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2005. Print. Sabbatini, renato M.E. Brain and Mind. Franz Joseph Gall: A Brief Biography. 1997. Web. February 3, 2011. Santrock, John W. Psychology (7th Edition). USA: Mc-Graw Hill Companies, Inc., 2003. Print Santrock, John W. Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behavior. USA: Wm C. Brown Publishers, 1988. Print. Wozniak, Robert H. Serendip. Mind, Brain and Adaptation: The Localization of Cerebral Function. 1996. Web. February 3, 2011. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Outline what is meant by Localisation of function in the brain. Are Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1406836-outline-what-is-meant-by-localisation-of-function
(Outline What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain. Are Essay)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1406836-outline-what-is-meant-by-localisation-of-function.
“Outline What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain. Are Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1406836-outline-what-is-meant-by-localisation-of-function.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF What Is Meant by Localisation of Function in the Brain

Gender differences in Business Leadership Style

The structure of the brain in men and women are different and these differences produce different leadership styles among the two sexes, both of which have implications for organizational activity.... As detailed further below, the brain structure in women which provides them more communicative ability may be more conducive to transformational leadership.... As detailed further below, the brain structure in women which provides them more communicative ability may be more conducive to transformational leadership....
9 Pages (2250 words) Thesis

Study of the Effect of Reverberation and Amplification on Sound Localization

The paper "Study of the Effect of Reverberation and Amplification on Sound Localization" is to investigate the contribution of adding reverberation on a listening environment to the abilities of normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners in localizing speech and non-speech signals.... ... ... ...
66 Pages (16500 words) Essay

Applications of the Kalman Filter Algorithm to Robot Localisation

Lego NXT comes with a brick-shaped device called NXT Intelligent Brick which forms the brain of the robot.... A robot uses sensors for detecting what is happening around them so that they can respond or react to varying circumstances.... This lab report "Applications of the Kalman Filter Algorithm to Robot localisation" discusses the design of a simple robot that has helped us to utilize the entire knowledge....
9 Pages (2250 words) Lab Report

Understanding the Brain and the Mind

Another computational approach to neuro-imaging is Diffusion Tension Imaging [DTI] which makes use of the contractions of the axons in the brain when water flows through them.... The Mind A study in Italy discussed about a certain type of neurons called mirror neurons, situated at the frontal lobe of the brain which fires a signal in the brain that makes a person imitate what another person is doing.... Your Full Date Understanding the brain and the Mind Introduction the brain is an essential part of the human body weighing only about three pounds, and made up of billions of neurons that are interconnected by axons, which are fibers that transmit the signals from and to the different arts of the brain (Ramachandran, ted....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

The Functional Consequences of Amblyopia

The images formed by the eye which are blurry, are ignored by the brain, either due to a defect in the transmission of the image or due to some defect in the brain working itself.... This results in the brain completely ignoring the image that it receives.... Any abnormality or problem in the visual areas in the brain at this stage leads to amblyopia.... Amblyopia develops in the early ages of life as the brain is developing its visual capabilities at that particular time....
35 Pages (8750 words) Essay

The effect of reverberation and amplification on sound localisation

To be able to communicate well, the listener must not only be able to perceive what is being said, but in an environment where there may be many sources around him, the listener must be.... The effect of digital processing in hearing aids on the hearing aid wearers use of localisation cues in different listening environments is not well understood.... he aim of this dissertation is to investigate the effect of reverberation on the localisation abilities of normal hearing and hearing impaired listeners....
35 Pages (8750 words) Thesis

The Basic Principles Of MR Image Production

The essay "The Basic Principles Of MR Image Production" explains the MRI as the safest imaging clinical imaging technique that is used for a variety of medical purposes like differentiating between normal and pathological tissues for diagnosis and tracking dynamic changes in tissue properties over time....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Human Resource Management - Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

Overemphasis on global control and consistency can only impede domestic vitality and result in what is commonly referred to as the 'headquarters syndrome.... Multinationals often learn the hard way when it comes to integrating HR systems to function optimally across the world, and some have spent enormous sums of money to solve this problem.... The dilemmas represent the typical worries of 21-st century corporations that are struggling to find an optimal balance between globalisation and localisation despite operating globally (Drori, 2013:15)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us