AP Psychology Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Aphasia is a language disorder that primarily results from damage to specific areas of the brain that are responsible for language processing, which is predominantly located in the left hemisphere. The left hemisphere houses key structures, such as Broca's area and Wernicke's area, that are integral for speech production and language comprehension, respectively.

When damage occurs in these areas due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other medical conditions, individuals may experience various types of aphasia, leading to difficulties in speaking, understanding words, reading, or writing. Therefore, the recognition that left hemisphere damage is the primary cause of aphasia is essential in the study of neuropsychology and language disorders.

The other types of damage mentioned, such as right hemisphere damage, damage to the corpus callosum, or damage to the sensory cortex, do not typically result in aphasia. Instead, they may lead to different neurological issues or communication problems, but not specifically the language deficits associated with aphasia.