Skill 1 - Assumptions

• What are the 3 assumptions

  • Evolutionary influences
  • Localisation of brain function
  • Role of neurotransmitters
• Asssumption 1: Evolution

  • Charles Darwin theory of Natural selection
  • good genetics will survive and be passed on
  • Example: Altruism (Parents risk own lives to save offspring to save gene pool)
  • EEA (Environment of Evolutionary Adaptiveness)
• Assumption 2: Localisation of brain function

  • Different areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions
  • Cerebral cortex covers brain
• Assumption 2: Localisation of the brain

  • Frontal Lobe - memory, personality
  • Parietal lobe - touch, pain, sensory
  • Occipital lobe - primary visual cortex
  • Temporal lobe - Auditory cotrex
• Assumption 2: Case study Phineas Gage

  Damage to frontal lobe (pole through brain)

  Changed personality, became aggressive
• Assumption 2: Localisation of language

  Left hemisphere

  ’Brocas area’ - speech production issues

  Wernickes area - Unable to understand
• Assumption 3: Neurotransmitters

  Chemical messangers in the brain that balance signals between neurons (Dendrites). Released from presynaptic to post synaptic

  • Role in mental health
  • Depression and serotonin
  • Schizophrenia and dopamine