P1+Extended+Bio+(Theoretical+comparison)

__Discuss two theoretical explanations of behaviour, one from the biological perspective and one from another perspective that you have studied for this paper.__ [20 Marks]

One theoretical explanation of memory in the biological perspective is the localization of brain function. This concept addresses the idea that different behaviours are controlled by separate areas of the brain. The frontal lobes are in control of the planning, initiating and controlling behaviour. The parietal lobes are in charge of sensing and monitoring body parts, whilst the occipital lobe controls vision. There is also the temporal lobe which controls hearing language and most significantly, memory.

Many studies have arisen in support of this theory. In 1861 Paul Broca discovered that damage to the left frontal lobe would result in speech impairment where the person can understand language but the words can not be properly formed. This depicts the theory that different segments of the brain control various different bodily functions. This is emphasized by the works of Carl Wernicke (1874) who identified the part of the brain responsible for receptive speech- the temporal lobe.

Localisation can be seen as a positive interpretation of behaviour as it takes into account the influence the brain has on behaviour and does not merely claim behaviour is the result of the environment. Localisation also allows understanding of the brain in an easier more comprehensive format, breaking it down simply into segments. Conversely, many argue that this theory is too reductionistic in its approach to brain function as it reduces behaviour to sections of the brain and overlooks environmental influences. It can also be perceived as too deterministic in that neglects to consider the idea that free will may exist to control behaviour per individual and that bodily functions are not merely a result of brain structure.

The localization theory relates closely with the Multi-Store memory model (MSM) proposed by Atkinson & Shiffrin (1972) within the cognitive perspective. This model of memory suggests that our memory can be understood in terms of different memory stores. These consist of; the short-term sensory store (STSS), the short-term memory store and the long-term memory store. If a memory in the sensory store is not rehearsed it will decay, if it is rehearsed it will be transferred to the short-term memory store. To transfer this memory further still, into the long-term store it must be given semantic references (meaning).

The MSM is often seen as influential in the psychology factor due to some of the following advantages. The clear differences between the Short-term memory store (STM) and the Long-term memory store (LTM) clearly illustrates the diversity between different types of memories and how they are encoded and stored within the brain. This theory also allows people to comprehend the studies of brain-damaged patients and their behaviours more easily. An example of this would be the case study of Clive Wearing (1988) who suffered anterograde amnesia in which he was incapable of transferring new factual information between STM and LTM, which highlighted the distinction between the memory stores.

However, this theory maintains certain criticisms due to the argument that the MSM is oversimplified and preserves a reductionistic approach in that it under-emphasizes interaction between the stores. Bekerian and Baddeley (1980) also argued that mere rehearsal does not ensure transfer from the STSS to the STM. Finally, Morris et al (1985) claimed that the linear direction of the MSM is incorrect.