Phineas Gage

Phineas Gage is a famous and well-known name in the world of psychology and neurological studies. He made a mark in history, on September 13, 1848, when this 25 year old man tragically survived a severe brain injury at a work site, acting as an ignition: sparking up the interest of many in the study of neurology and psychology. Phineas had a rod at 3ft 8 inches in length and 1.25 inch in diameter (Costandi, 2006) penetrate into his head, tearing right through his front part of his head. This accident was well documented on and became quite famous. However, when this occurred, the neurological studies weren’t as advanced as they have become in today’s date. With the new technological advances that have been invented within the last 165 years, things we could not investigate back then could be investigated now. When this occurred, it was well described, observed and analyzed by Dr. John Martin Harlow, who gave us much of the most important information we have today even without any advanced technological help. This misfortune influenced neurological studies and the effects brain damage could cause to behaviour, attitude and self-change. If the accident that occurred with Phineas Gage were to of happen in this generation, an experiment and quasiexperimental study could be used to research the neural bases of the behavioral changes that emerged following the accident that occurred. The only method of investigation that occurred was a case study, since it is a method of studying and analyzing one subject, facts about this case cannot be generalized to the public, so much of what could be evaluated from his effects of this accident can’t be established as a fact. Conversely, if an accident like this were to occur now in day, the ideal method of investigation would be a combination of both an experiment and a quasiexperiment. This can be explained by how an experiment would be beneficial to research the behaviour changes, and also how a quasiexperiment would be

Cited: Costandi, M. C. (2006). The incredible case of phineas gage. History of Neuroscience, Retrieved from http://neurophilosophy.wordpress.com/2006/12/04/the-incredible-case-of-phineas-gage/ Crichton, P. C. (2001). The story of phineas gage. The Lancet, 357(9255), 1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/docview/199078189?accountid=11233 Central nervous system; UCLA researchers map damaged connections in phineas gage 's brain. (2012). Telemedicine Business Week, , 351. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1015618671?accountid=11233