Hemispheric Lateralisation (split-brain research)

Question 1

What is lateralisation?

Answer 1

The idea that the two halves of the brain are functionally different and has functional specialisations.
-Left hemisphere controls right side of body and vice versa.

Question 2

What research is used for this topic?

Answer 2

Sperry’s split brain research

Question 3

What joins the two hemispheres together?

Answer 3

Corpus callosum - a bundle of nerve fibres located in middle of brain.

Question 4

What is the left hemisphere associated with?

Answer 4

Language functions (grammar and vocabulary) 
-Contains different language centres (Broca's and Wernicke's area)

Question 5

What is the right hemisphere associated with?

Answer 5

More visuospatial functions such as visualisation, depth perception.

Question 6

What is evidence of lateralisation of the brain?

Answer 6

Sperry
Brocas area
Wernickes area

Question 7

Where did Sperry get participants from?

Answer 7

Outdated treatment for severe epilepsy meant the corpus callosum was sliced meaning connections between two hemispheres was halted.

Question 8

What was Sperry’s method?

Answer 8

Project words on the right and left fields of vision whilst one eye is covered, to test whether the patients would be able to say the word.

Question 9

What were Sperry’s findings?

Answer 9

Found that the P’s were able able to say word presented on RVF which is controlled by left hemisphere and contains language centres.

• Words presented on left side couldn’t be spoken.
• However different with motor movements.