Localisation of function

What is meant by localisation of function?

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Answer explanation

The idea that certain functions (e.g. language, memory) are associated with a particular area/region or structure in the brain.

The frontal lobe is best associated with

• Processing visual information

• Processing auditory information

• Spatial memory

• Higher order thinking e.g. decision making

Answer explanation

The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that controls important cognitive skills in humans, such as emotional expression, problem solving, memory, language, judgment, and sexual behaviors. It is, in essence, the “control panel” of our personality and our ability to communicate

Which one is Maguire

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Which research method did Maguire employ?

• Laboratory experiment

• Field Experiment

• Quasi Experiment

• Natural Experiment

Who were the control group in Maguire's study

• Left handed taxi drivers

• Left handed non taxi driver

• Right handed taxi drivers

• Right handed non taxi drivers

Which type of brain scan did Maguire utilise?

• CAT scan

• PET scan

• fMRI

• MRI

Maguire found taxi drivers had

• A significantly larger anterior hippocampus

• A significantly larger posterior hippocampus

• A significantly larger anterior hypothalamus

• A significantly larger posterior hypothalamus

Answer explanation

The taxi drivers posterior hippocampus was significantly larger and the anterior hippocampus was significantly smaller than that of the control groups

Describe the correlational findings of Maguire's research

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Answer explanation

Maguire found a positive correlation between length of time as a taxi driver and size of the posterior hippocampus. In other words the longer they have been driving the bigger the posterior hippocampus.

How does Maguire's study provide support for localisation of function?

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Answer explanation

Spatial memory is 'localised' to the posterior hippocampus whereas the anterior may be responsible for the encoding of new spatial layouts and as taxi drivers already know the layout of London this region is used less.