1. The Neural Basis for Cognition Don Hine School of Psychology

2. Learning Objectives Describe the general physical characteristics of the brain. Define “functional specialisation” and outline the evidence supporting this perspective. Identify the principal structures of the brain and their main functions. Describe Capgras Syndrome and its underlying causes.

3. Neuroanatomy Central Nervous system spinal cord brain

4. The Brain: General Physical Characteristics Weight? Size? Number of nerve cells?

5. Functional Specialisation Specific areas of the brain have specific functions. Examples Broca’s area – language production Wernicke’s area – language comprehension

6. The Brain: Principal Structures Hindbrain Midbrain Forebrain

7. Hindbrain and Midbrain

8. Forebrain Subcortical Structures Cerebral Cortex

9. Forebrain - Subcortical Structures

10. Forebrain – Cerebral Cortex Corpus Callosum 2 cerebral hemispheres

11. Split Brain Research Roger Sperry Corpus callosum surgically severed. Hemispheres become functionally isolated from each other

12. CUP Standard Split Brain Task

13. Modified Split Brain Task

14. Four Lobes of the Cortex

15. Evidence for Functional Specialisation Autopsies Surgical lesioning Brain injury Cortical stimulation Brain imaging

16. An final important point about functional specialisation Although specific parts of the brain have specific functions, almost all cognitive processes (attention, memory, decision making, etc.) stem from complex interactions between multiple brain areas.

17. Capgras Syndrome A rare disorder in which sufferers can recognize people, but deny that that these people are who they appear to be. Linked to damage in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Breakdown of the facial recognition system.

18. Facial Recognition – 2 Systems Cognitive Appraisal System Appraises facial stimuli in a highly analytical way with reference to explicit memory. Emotional Appraisal System Appraises facial stimuli in terms of the feelings of familiarity and warmth they elicit.

19. Facial Recognition System

20. Implications for Functional Specialisation Cognitive processes such as facial recognition generally involve many areas of the brain. Although several brain areas play a role in facial recognition, no one area is exclusively responsible for this process.