LOCALIZATION OF

FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN

Lecture by: M.K. Sastry

Neuroplasticity
What is brain localization?
 This is where one section of the brain is
responsible for a specific function.
 This is the Classic Localizationist View.
 Three Key Examples of this “classical view”
are:
• Broca’s Area
• Wernicke’s Area
• Split Brain
Broca’s Area
 Damage to any one of several cortical areas can
cause aphasia.
 In 1865, Paul Broca reported that after
damage to a specific area of the left frontal
lobe a person would struggle to speak
words while still being able to sing familiar
songs and comprehend speech.
Wernicke’s Area
 In 1874, Carl Wernicke discovered that after
damage to a specific area of the left
temporal lobe people could speak only
meaningless words.
Localization Research
 Broca’s and Wenicke’s research gave the
first proof of brain localization…
 That specific areas of the brain provided
specific functions.
Split-Brain Research
Criticism of Classic Localization
Studies

 Studied on small number of participants.

 Participants are often “different” before
they started.
 Not done on the general population.
Modern Viewpoint
 The brain is not as localized as once
believed.
 Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt.
 Multiple brain areas coordinate to
complete cognitive functioning.
Modern Localization Research:
Bilingualism
 Hull and Vaid (2006)
 Studied Bilingualism
Past Research on Bilingualism
 Left hemisphere was dominant for
language processing, the right hemisphere
supported the process more than was
originally believed.
Past Research on Bilingualism
 Case studies on language loss and recovery
in bilingual aphasics led research to believe
that multiple languages might be localized
in different brain areas.
Past Research on Bilingualism
 The age that someone acquires a second
language and their level of proficiency
might affect the pattern of left hemisphere
dominance.
Hull and Vaid (2006)
4 Hypotheses
1. Second Language Hypothesis- bilinguals use more of
the right brain.
2. Balanced Bilingual Hypothesis- proficient bilinguals
are more right-brain lateralized than monolinguals.
3. Age of second language hypothesis- the closer in
time two languages are acquired, the more similar
the brain localization.
4. Stage of Second Language hypothesis- early stages of
learning a second language depends largely on
contextual cues which are located in the right
hemisphere.
Hull and Vaid (2006)
 A meta-analysis was conducted.
 23 studies
 1234 normal monolingual and bilingual
participants.
 AIM: Under what conditions did a second
language affect brain development.
Hull and Vaid (2006)
 Studied the following three variables:
• Experience (monolinguals or bilinguals)
• Proficiency
• Age acquiring the second language (before or
after age 6).
Hull and Vaid (2006)
 Key Findings
• Early Experience KEY variable.
 Monolinguals and Bilinguals who acquired
their second language after 6 showed the
most left hemisphere dominance.
 Supports the age of second language
hypothesis.
Key Findings
 Early bilinguals were bilateral.
 Supports the second language hypothesis.
 No significant hemispheric localization
differences between the proficient and
non-proficient bilinguals.
Key Findings
 The left hemisphere is not as dominant for
language as once thought.
 Bilateralism does occur.
 More research is needed on normal brains
to examine this further.
Thank You