PSYC 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Phineas Gage, Frontal Lobe, Temporal Lobe
Document Summary
Located in the rear of the frontal lobe. The cc was severed in a small number of cases to reduce the severity of epileptic seizures. Split-brain experiments: subjects had their cc cut and were put under experimentation. Subjects could not name objects shows to the right hemisphere, but if asked to select these objects with their left hand, they succeeded. Located in the left temporal lobe, it"s involved in language comprehension. Brain damage studies: early research focused on people with partially-damaged brains. Worked in american railroad construction, and survived an accident where a large iron rod penetrated his head. The rod destroyed much of his brain"s left frontal lobe. The side-effects of the penetrating rod included a substantial alteration in gage"s personality and behavior. His injury and survival sparked the debate of cerebral localization. Damage to wernicke"s area will cause a language aphasia. Lesion method: later research involved intentional destruction of small parts of animal brains.
