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EnglandPsychology

Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What happens to behaviour when the brain is damaged?

The impact of neurological damage: how damage to the brain (for example from injury or stroke) affects movement and behaviour, and how this reveals the localisation of function.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 4, covering the impact of neurological damage on movement and behaviour, and how case studies of damage reveal the localisation of function.
9 min answer →

How do neurons carry and pass on messages in the nervous system?

Neurons and synapses: the structure and function of neurons, the electrical impulse, and synaptic transmission using neurotransmitters.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 4, covering the structure and function of neurons, the electrical impulse, and synaptic transmission using neurotransmitters.
9 min answer →

What did Sperry and Damasio's studies reveal about how the brain works?

Core studies: Sperry (1968) on split-brain patients and Damasio et al. (1994) on the case of Phineas Gage, including their aims, methods, results, conclusions and evaluation.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 4 core studies: Sperry (1968) on split-brain patients and Damasio et al. (1994) on Phineas Gage, with aim, method, results, conclusion and evaluation.
11 min answer →

What are the main structures of the brain and what do they do?

The structure and function of the brain: the cerebrum and its four lobes, the cerebellum and brain stem, and the lateralisation of function across the two hemispheres.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 4, covering the structure and function of the brain (the four lobes, cerebellum and brain stem) and the lateralisation of function across the hemispheres.
9 min answer →