What were Marie Jean Pierre flourens views on the brain?
What were Marie Jean Pierre flourens views on the brain?
Flourens was accepted as a pioneer of the modern theory of brain function. According to this theory, the brain acts only as a functional entity although specific functions are controlled by specifics parts of the brain.
What did flourens emphasize?
In March 1847 Flourens drew the attention of the Academy of Sciences to the anesthetic effect of chloroform on animals.
What is flourens theory of Equipotentiality?
In neuropsychology, equipotentiality is a neurological principle that describes a cortical mechanism, first identified by Jean Pierre Flourens and later revisited by Karl Lashley in the 1950s. His principle of “mass action” stated that the cerebral cortex acts as one—as a whole—in many types of learning.
Why was flourens study so important to neuropsychology of the time?
Flourens was able to demonstrate convincingly for the first time that the main divisions of the brain were indeed responsible for largely different functions. By removing the cerebral hemispheres, for instance, all perceptions, motricity, and judgment were abolished.
What did Gall and Flourens do?
Before Flourens began his animal experiments, Gall had developed relatively new ideas of brain function [3], which proved important: ‘that the cerebral cortex represented the highest level of the brain and that the development of this area characterised mammals and man. ‘
What method did Pierre Flourens use to investigate cortical Localisation?
ablation
To test Gall’s assertions, Flourens developed ablation as a procedure to explore the workings of the brain. By removing anatomically defined areas of the brain of an animal and watching its behaviour, he thought he might localize certain functions.
How did Franz Gall study the brain and personality?
Cranioscopy is a method to determine the personality and development of mental and moral faculties on the basis of the external shape of the skull. During his lifetime, Gall collected and observed over 120 skulls in order to test his hypotheses.
What important contribution did Gall and Flourens provide?
Before Flourens began his animal experiments, Gall had developed relatively new ideas of brain function [3], which proved important: ‘that the cerebral cortex represented the highest level of the brain and that the development of this area characterised mammals and man.
What did Lashley develop by purposely damaging?
How did Lashley develop the equipotentiality hypothesis? He trained rats in the correct route through a maze, then deliberately damaged their brains and observed that this did not inhibit their progress through the maze.
What is aggregate field theory?
Aggregate field theory (1824): whole brain participates in behavior, it is impossible to localize things such as memory or language because multiple brain areas are required. Examined brains of people with disrupted ability to speak (usually by a stroke).
Who discovered experimental ablation?
Marie Jean Pierre Flourens
It was pioneered in 1824 by the French physiologist Marie Jean Pierre Flourens (1794–1867) and is also called a lesion experiment.
Who is Gall psychology?
Franz Josef Gall (German: [gal]; 9 March 1758 – 22 August 1828) was a German neuroanatomist, physiologist, and pioneer in the study of the localization of mental functions in the brain. Claimed as the founder of the pseudoscience of phrenology, Gall was an early and important researcher in his fields.