Hemispheric Lateralisation

Question 1

Hemispheric lateralisation Ao1

Answer 1

The idea that the left and right hemisphere of the brain are responsible for diffrent functions

The two hemisphere each have different functions and roles

Question 2

Left hemisphere

Answer 2

Responsible for language

Two main language centres

Broca’s area responsible for speech production

Wernickes area responsible for understanding language

Located in the left hemisphere

Question 3

Right hemisphere

Answer 3

Responsible for recognition of faces and places and objects and creativity

Can only produce rudimentary words and phrases

Contributes to emotional context of what is being said

Question 4

What functions are not lateralised ?

Answer 4

Such as vision , motor and somatosensory areas as they occur in both hemispheres

Question 5

More over the brains has collateral wiring

Answer 5

Left hemisphere receives information from right visual field and controls right side of body

Right hemisphere receives information from left visual field and controls left side of the body

Question 6

Hemispheric lateralisation Ao3

Answer 6

Research to contradict hemispheric lateralisation of the brain comes from case study of patient named EB

Suffered from brain damage , resulted in removal of his left hemisphere and thus language centres

EB managed to regain some of his language ability

Would not be possible if brain was completely lateralised and only left being responsible for language

Lowering validity of research into lateralisation of funtion in the brain

Question 7

Hemispheric lateralisation Ao3 limitation

Answer 7

However case study of EB lacks population validity

May not be appropriate to generalise findings of lateralisation of function to typical population

As these are unique studies where brain damage may have affected the way in which the brain functions

Some individuals may be able to process information in right hemisphere

Suggesting that more research is needed with more diverse samples before firm conclusions on lateralisation of language is possible

Answer 8

However case study of EB lacks population validity

May not be appropriate to generalise findings of lateralisation of function to typical population

As these are unique studies where brain damage may have affected the way in which the brain functions

Some individuals may be able to process information in right hemisphere

Suggesting that more research is needed with more diverse samples before firm conclusions on lateralisation of language is possible