Define localisation of function

The theory of localisation of function is that certain areas in the brain are responsible for specific behaviours. For example the Nucleus accumbens is said to be the pleasure centre, responsible for our behaviour to seek pleasure, due to the high level of dopamine pathways. This specialisation occurs through Neural pruning, the action of eliminating neural connections that are not being used, in early childhood. This process ensures that all the neural pathways are more efficient due to the specialisations that results in the elimination of non-used connections.Olds and Milner conducted a study in order to investigate whether stimulation of certain areas would change behaviour in 15 male rats. In order to do so they implanted electrodes right above the hypothalamus, the area where the nucleus accumbens is loacted, in the rats brain. The rates were then placed in skinner boxes that contained a lever. When the rat pressed the lever it would stimulate the electrode that had been implanted and thus stimulate the nucleus accumbens. However, every time the rat pressed the lever they had to pass through an electrified floor that would cause them a bit of pain. The results showed that the rat was willing to give up basic necessities in order to get that small stimulation in their brain. Milner and Olds observed that the rats would stop eating, drinking, sleeping and even mating. Thus concluding, that the nucleus accumbens and as such dopamine, play a large role in pleasure. As such this study demonstrates that there are specific areas in the brain that are responsible for a specific behaviour, in this instance the nucleus accumbens is responsible for pleasure seeking.