Hemispheric Lateralisation^

Question 1

Definition of Lateralisation

Answer 1

one hemisphere of the brain is dominant for a particular function

Question 2

Language

Answer 2

lateralised to left hemisphere (analyser)
- Broca: left frontal lobe
- Wernicke: left temporal lobe
right hemisphere (synthesiser)
- add emotional context to speech
- only produce basic words

Question 3

Hemispheres

Answer 3

many functions are not lateralised
- brain regions responsible for them in both hemispheres

Question 4

Vision

Answer 4

both contralateral and ipsilateral
right visual cortex
- see in left visual fields in both eyes
left visual cortex
- see in right vf in both eyes

Question 5

Connected Brain

Answer 5

two hemispheres process info differently
Fink et al
- PET scans on connected brains
- RH: global visualisation
- LH: finer details
Visual processing, hemispheric lateralisation is a feature for connected and split brain

Question 6

One Brain AO3

Answer 6

LH = analyser / RH = synthesiser

Niesal et al

• analysed 1000 brains (7-29)
• found evidence for lateralisation
  : no evidence for a dominant side that evokes a diff personality

Question 7

Lateralisation VS Plasticity

Answer 7

L gives an adaptive function = multitasking
Rogers et al
- chickens with lateralised brain can find food while watching for danger
- chicken without lateralised brain cant
Neural plasticity can be adaptive
- brain not too fixed in structure in case of injury
- non specialised can take over
Lateralisation is 1st preference
- plasticity more important as deals with brain damage