Neuroscience For Psychology 109, University of Auckland Practice Questions and Answers

Neuropsychology the branch of psychology that is concerned with the physiological bases of psychological processes Lesioning in studies of brain functioning, the intentional destruction of brain tissue in order to observe the effects on behavior Stereotaxic apparatus A device used to insert an electrode into a particular part of the brain for the purpose of recording electrical activity, stimulating the brain electrically, or producing localized damage Phineas Gage Phineas Gage, a construction foreman, had an iron rod rammed up his cheek, through to the left side of his brain. Afterwards he was able to walk and talk normally BUT he became unsocialable, bad-mannered, and was unable to plan. From these events, it was concluded that the frontal lobe is important for planning, processing emotion, and rational decision-making. At least this is the case for Phineas Gage. The Broca's area* The Broca's area is important for speech. Paul Broca studied patients with left frontal lobe damage. One patient was called "Tan" because it was the only articulate sound he could make. H.M. H.M. had surgery in 1953 for intractable epilepsy. Most of his temporal lobe was removed (including his hippocampus). The result was that he was left memory-less, with no ability to create new memories