AQA A Level Psychology
Biopsychology - Localisation of Function in the Brain Notes
Paper Reference - 7182/2
LOCALISATION - the idea that different parts of the brain are responsible for different tasks
and functions.
KEY AREAS OF THE BRAIN:
● Motor Cortex – Controls voluntary movement. Found in both hemispheres of
the brain. Contralateral (the left cortex controls the right side of the body and
vice versa). It has a logical arrangement for example the area for finger
movement is near the area for hand movement. Damage to this area of the
brain may lead to paralysis.
● Somatosensory Cortex - Receives information from the senses and carries
this to the brain by neural pathways. Contralateral. Damage to this area of the
brain may lead to a loss of sensation.
● Visual Cortex - Information is taken in via photoreceptors in the retina, this
travels to the visual cortex in the hindbrain via the optic nerve. There are
different regions for movement, shape etc.
● Auditory Cortex - Soundwaves are converted in the cochlea and travel to the
brain stem and then the auditory cortex via the auditory nerve. This area
recognises a sound and then deciphers an appropriate response.
● Broca’s Area - Responsible for language production.
● Wernicke’s Area - Responsible for speech comprehension.
THE LANGUAGE CENTRES:
Biopsychology - Localisation of Function in the Brain Notes
Paper Reference - 7182/2
LOCALISATION - the idea that different parts of the brain are responsible for different tasks
and functions.
KEY AREAS OF THE BRAIN:
● Motor Cortex – Controls voluntary movement. Found in both hemispheres of
the brain. Contralateral (the left cortex controls the right side of the body and
vice versa). It has a logical arrangement for example the area for finger
movement is near the area for hand movement. Damage to this area of the
brain may lead to paralysis.
● Somatosensory Cortex - Receives information from the senses and carries
this to the brain by neural pathways. Contralateral. Damage to this area of the
brain may lead to a loss of sensation.
● Visual Cortex - Information is taken in via photoreceptors in the retina, this
travels to the visual cortex in the hindbrain via the optic nerve. There are
different regions for movement, shape etc.
● Auditory Cortex - Soundwaves are converted in the cochlea and travel to the
brain stem and then the auditory cortex via the auditory nerve. This area
recognises a sound and then deciphers an appropriate response.
● Broca’s Area - Responsible for language production.
● Wernicke’s Area - Responsible for speech comprehension.
THE LANGUAGE CENTRES:
