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

?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