Hemispheric Lateralisation

Question 1

What is Hemispheric Lateralisation

Answer 1

The extent to which the two halves of the brain are functionally different and that certain mental processes are mainly controlled by one hemisphere.

Question 2

Left Visual Field =
Right Visual Field =
Wenicke’s Area =
Fusiform Face Area =

Answer 2

LVH = Right Hemisphere
RVH = Left Hemisphere
WA = Left Hemisphere
FFA = Right Hemisphere

Question 3

Corpus Callosum

Answer 3

Thick bundle of nerve fibres that connects the brain’s left and right hemispheres, allowing them to communicate.

Question 4

Split Brain Research Aims

Answer 4

Sperry (1968) aimed to investigate the extent to which the two hemispheres were specialised.
he wanted to research whether the hemispheres performed tasks independently.
To do this he developed a procedure with a series of tasks.

Question 5

Split Brain Research Procedure and Findings:
Language Task

Answer 5

Participants are told to focus on an X.
Image Flashes up in periphery of visual field for 0.1
They were asked to name what was shown.
LVF = RH =No Language Centres= Seeing nothing
RVH = LH =Language centers= Able to name item

Question 6

Split Brain Research Procedure and Findings:
Drawing Task

Answer 6

Participants asked to draw objects using either left or right hand.
Objects sometimes presented to one visual field.
Quality and accuracy of drawings compared.
Right hand = LH = Lower Quality Drawing
Left hand = RH = Higher Quality Drawing

Question 7

Split Brain Research Procedure and Findings:
Composite Words

Answer 7

Two words presented simultaneously
One to the left visual field and one to the right visual field.
They were asked to say the word shown and select what was shown their left hand.
The LVF (processed by RH) enables person to select the “key” using their left hand.
The RVF (processed by the LH) allows the person to verbally say the word “ring.”

Question 8

Split Brain Research Procedure and Findings:
Matching Faces

Answer 8

Images of faces or composite faces shown to the left or right visual field.
Participants were asked to match or identify a face from a set of options.
They had to watch or identify a face by either selecting similar face or correct half.

Question 9

Split Brain Research Findings

Answer 9

The Left hemisphere is specialised for speech and language processes.
The right hemisphere is specialised for visuospatial processing and facial recognition.