Was Broca justified in labeling a speech center in the brain with so few patients?

Discussion 2 – Brain Localization and Mind Limits

Step 1: Watch Green, “Meet Your Master: Getting to Know Your Brain”

Step 2: Read Alex Hutchinson’s interview at https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/18/17003304/alex-hutchinson-endure-fitness-science-health-exercise-running-body-limits. Or feel free to listen to his podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHexNzaXY-4. The transcript is available by clicking on the 3-dot ellipsis below the video.

Step 3: Read this discussion of the evidence mentioned in the podcast in Step 2: https://www.outsideonline.com/2112241/fatigue-all-your-head

Step 4: Address the following questions in discussion in one paragraph for each of the three question items:

Questions

1. Choose two parts of the brain described in Step 1 for this week and discuss how they might be related in function. How might a neuron in one structure depend for its function on what is happening in a neuron in the other structure?

2. Draw a conclusion about the way we localize functions in the brain: Was Broca justified in labeling a speech center in the brain with so few patients? How many brains are necessary to draw a conclusion? What does localization mean, after all? There is no strictly right or wrong answer to this question, but only thoughtful responses.

3. Describe an example in your own experience of misattributing a body function to a mental function or misattributing a mental function to a body function. For example, did doing chores as a kid really make you tired?

4. Post responses of 75 to 100 words each to two of your fellow class members.