"Critically evaluate the role of neural structures in subserving psychological functions"

Authors Avatar

University of Lincoln

“Critically evaluate the role of neural structures in subserving psychological functions”

Cognitive Neuroscience

Papadopoulos Sotirios

Level III

Tutor : Dimopoulou Despoina

INTRODUCTION

The formation of the top of the brain includes the left and right cerebral hemispheres that are covered by a thin cortex, the cerebral cortex. This cortex is the surface of the brain and it is comprised by four lobes in each hemisphere, frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobe. Research on the brain has concluded that each area of the cortex controls a number of functions. The parts of the cortex that receive information from the body or the environment are located in the back of the brain. The middle area of the brain relates to the movement of our body and the areas known as association areas control language, thinking and memory (Carroll, 1999, Yule, 1996).

        The part of the spinal cord that continues into the brain is the medulla and it is responsible for vital functions such as breathing. Above the medulla is located the cerebellum. Cerebellum  cooperates with the spinal cord in order to achieve precision (Bradshaw, Mattingley, 1995).

Furthermore cerebellum and medulla receive information by the thalamus, which is located at the top of the brain stem. Thalamus also receives information from the body and redirects it to the other parts of the brain. Under the thalamus is located the hypothalamus, that is related with normalization of the body’s internal functions, like hunger, thirst sex and temperature. The limbic system is formed of similar cells bodies from the thalamus, hypothalamus and an above part. Aggressiveness is correlated with the amygdala that helps in its expression, in contrast to a similar structure, the septum, that restrains aggression. Memory is related to a third part of this system, the hippocampus (Bradshaw, Mattingley, 1995).

These aspects of brain cooperate in order to perform psychological processes. Space deficiency in this study leads to examination of language and memory only.

LANGUAGE

Sounds, their written symbols –words- and gestures combined in various ways constitute language. Phonology refers to the system of sounds that are used by a language. More specifically, it is consisted of phonemes, namely the basic sound units of the language together with rules about the way these phonemes are combined in order to form words and the way words, phrases and sentences are properly intonated. The second component of language, semantics, includes word meanings and word combinations. Apparently, language comprehension is impossible, if knowledge of particular words and their definitions as well as the understanding of the way words are used and combined into sentences and phrases are absent. Grammar refers to a language’s structure and is further divided into two major aspects: morphology and syntax. Morphology is the study of morphemes or a language’s smallest units of meaning – prefixes, suffixes, and root words. It also includes rules about the proper combination of these units. The way in which words are combined into sentences is specified by syntax. For instance, every language is based on a system of syntactic rules that are used for expressing grammatical relationships like possession, juxtaposition of subject and object, negation and interrogation. And finally, pragmatics describe appropriate language use in certain contexts. Therefore, pragmatics involve the social aspect of language for effective communication (Carroll, 1971; Durkin, 1995; Hetherington & Parke 1999; Matlin, 1998; McCarthy, 1971; Smith et al., 1999; Stern, 1971).

Join now!

Brain damage may cause disorders of language. These disorders are described by the term aphasia (Geschwind, 1992). Aphasias may vary, depending which aspect of language is problematic (talking, understanding, writing, reading). In addition, the extent of aphasia may vary from small inability (recognizing words) to extended disorder. Strokes are the most common  cause of aphasias although head injury from accidents or  people suffered violence have similar effects (Yule, 1996).

The first study of the relationship of aphasia to the brain began by Paul Broca in 1861. He was the first that proved aphasias are related to specific lesions, and ...

This is a preview of the whole essay