Tammy Glidewell
PSY/340
May 19, 2015
Kristine Kirsch
Brain Lateralization and Language Reflection
This paper written as a reflection, will focus on the definition of the lateralization of the brain as being an ongoing and intricate process involving different areas of the brain which are responsible for and in control of cognition skills and behaviors that are specific. In addition, the reflection will explain the changes in language when the brain suffers trauma or damage.
Brain Lateralization and Language The lateralization of the brain is an intricate system where distinct sections of a person’s brain control the operation of cognition skills and behaviors that are specific in nature. Certain functions are situated on one side of the brain, in part or whole, and this explains the term lateralization. From referencing fMRI data and other techniques, the hemisphere on the left side is responsible for the production of speech in greater than 95% of right handed people and almost 80% of left handed people. (Gotts, S. J., Jo, H. J., Wallace, G. L., Saad, Z. S., Cox, R. W., & Martin, A., 2013). The capability of using and understanding language in a variety of ways are in relation to the left side of the brain. These various processes include speaking, listening, reading, and writing; as well as spoken and written word memorization, analysis of information that is in detail, and right side motor control of the body. The right hemisphere of the brain controls spatial awareness, position of the body, remembering and understanding the activities done or things that people see, taking in pieces of information and putting the pieces together to form a picture that is complete. Lastly, the control of motor skills on the left side of the body is regulated by the right hemisphere (Kalat, 2013).
Brain Damage and Language
The lateralization of the brain is imperative to the development of social skills and language that is
References: Gotts, S. J., Jo, H. J., Wallace, G. L., Saad, Z. S., Cox, R. W., & Martin, A. (2013). Two Distinct Forms of Functional Lateralization in the Human Brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(36), E3435-E3444. Doi: 10.1073/pnas.1302581110. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles PMC3767540/ Kalat, J. (2013). Biological Psychology (2nd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection Database