Biopsychology - hemispheric lateralisation

Question 1

hemispheric lateralisation

Answer 1

different hemispheres have different functions

Question 2

corpus callosum

Answer 2

nerve fibers connecting both hemispheres, allowing communications

Question 3

who researched split brain research and when

Answer 3

Sperry (1968)

Question 4

method of Sperry’s research

Answer 4

studying 11 patients who had epileptic surgery that removed their corpus callosum. flash words and images to the right and left fields indpendently.

Question 5

evaluation of Sperry’s research

Answer 5

+ supported by Gazzaniga’s research
+ provides evidence for localisation
+ Fink et al research supporting evidence, PET scans during tasks (LH active at finer detail, RH at wider picture)
- small sample size makes it not generalisable, neurodivergence = confounding varaiable
- Nielsen et al analysed 1000 brain scans, no sign of having dominant side of brain

Question 6

findings of Sperry’s research

Answer 6

left hemisphere is better at speech and language, whereas right hemisphere is better at visual-motor tasks

Question 7

how to answer exam questions on hemispheric lateralisation

Answer 7

always mention Sperry and while explaining the task, also always explain what that research shows

Question 8

3 tasks that Sperry had patients do

Answer 8

picking objects, drawing objects, describing objects

Question 9

results of Sperry’s research

Answer 9

objects in right visual field could be described easily, objects in left visual field could select a similar object, recognise faces , and be better at drawing (despite being right-handed)
if shown compound words, drawn objects separately instead of as one object