Localisation of Function in the Brain

Localisation of function refers to the theory that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours, processes, or activities. This is one of the most intensely researched and debated topics in biopsychology. Evidence from brain damage, brain stimulation, and modern neuroimaging supports localisation, though the extent to which functions are strictly localised versus distributed across interconnected networks remains an active area of investigation.

Key Definition: Localisation of function is the principle that certain areas of the cerebral cortex are specialised for particular physical and psychological functions.

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The Cerebral Cortex

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain — a thin, folded sheet of neural tissue approximately 2–4 mm thick. It is divided into two cerebral hemispheres (left and right), connected by the corpus callosum — a thick band of approximately 200 million nerve fibres that allows communication between the hemispheres.

Each hemisphere is divided into four lobes: