Biopysch: Split brain research

Question 1

Sperry (1968) study outline

Answer 1

• Patients whos corpus callosum was severed
• communication between hemispheres was tested
• image or word was projected to one or both screens
• patient fixated on a central point
• Left eye processed by right hemisphere
• Right eye processes by left hemisphere

Question 2

Sperry (1968) study findings

Answer 2

• Objects shown in right visual field could be named and described
• Objects shown in left visual field couldn’t be described (could only draw them)
• ‘key ring’ split across the screen - they would say the right visual word and draw the left visual word
• right hemisphere dominant in terms of facial recognition

Question 3

Evaluation; strength

Answer 3

Methodology highly standardised, controlled e.g images were only flashed for tenth of a second - results are more valid and reliable

Question 4

Evaluation: strength

Answer 4

Sperry’s work had an application in philosophy - Pucetti argued the hemispheres are so different the represent two minds

Question 5

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 5

Issues with sample - 11 epilepsy patients, varying degrees of separation in their hemispheres, no control group

Question 6

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 6

Gender differences, evidence suggests women’s brains are less lateralised than men’s. Men often experience more aphasia after a stroke

Question 7

Evaluation: weakness

Answer 7

Differences may be overstated - ‘left and right brained people’ the two hemispheres are in constant communication - lowers validity of sperry’s conclusions.