Brain and Behavior: The Science of Psychology

Question1 

Dr. Ramachandran first tried to run a small object on Derek’s face and asked him to state where he felt the sensation. When the small object was run on Derek’s left side of the face, he could also feel a sensation from his amputated left arm. Derek’s somatosensory cortex on the right side of the brain was still active but could not register Derek’s left hand (Brain and Behavior). The absence of the arm let to the reorganization of the neurons to other parts of the body, and in this case, mainly to Derek’s left face. 

Question 2 

The mirror box worked for James Peacock in the sense that the occipital lobes, which contain the primary visual area, are tricked to believe the illusion of Peacock’s amputated hand movement, and consequently to ease the pain, which is probably caused by the brain’s sending of neurons to the amputated hand. 

Question 3 

Graham’s sight was similar to that of reptiles in that he could not completely perceive whole objects but could detect them. The limbic system helps lower animals organize basic survival responses, and the most prominent part of this system is the amygdala (Brain and Behavior). Similarly, David’s limbic system, and in particular, the amygdala was responsible for his detection of objects even when he could not recognize them wholly. 

Question 4 

David would not recognize the faces of his parents; he thought they were imposters. He would also not recognize his apartment, and sometimes he would also think he was an imitation of his former self. However, when David’s father spoke, he recognized the voice and knew that it was his father’s voice. The explanation given by Dr. Ramachandran is that whenever David looks at objects, the message reaches the temperal lobes but does not reach the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional response. 

Question 5 

The seizures most likely affected John’s temperal lobes, therefore disturbing his emotions, and consequently, thought process. The emotions created would create feelings of other worlds, and to some extent, obstructed John’s thinking of the physical world. He would therefore raise philosophical questions, especially related to religion because of the experience of these unusual different or strange worlds. 

Reference 

“ Brain and Behavior: The Nervous System”. Module 7