Lateralisation And Split Brain Research

Question 1

Advantages of hemispheric lateralisation:

Rogers et al

Answer 1

An advantage of brain lateralisation is that it increases neural processing capacity due to only one hemisphere engaging in a task, the other is free for a different function

R: Found that in that in chickens, brain lateralisation is associated with an enhanced ability to perform two tasks simultaneously. (finding food+being vigilant) This supports the idea that brain lateralisation enhances brain efficiency in cognitive tasks

Question 2

Lateralisation changes with age:

Szaflarski et al

Answer 2

Lateralisation of function appears not to stay exactly the same throughout any individual’s life time but changes with normal ageing

Lateralise patterns found in younger people tend to switch to bilateral patterns in healthy older adults

S: found that language became more lateralised to the left hemisphere with increasing age but after the age of 25, lateralisation decreased with each decade of life

Question 3

Language may not be restricted to the left hemisphere:

Turk et al

Answer 3

Research has suggested that damage to the left hemisphere was found to be far more detrimental to language function than was damage to the right

T: Although, JW, developed the capacity to speak out of the right hemisphere with the result that he can now speak about information presented to the left or to the right brain

Question 4

Limitations of split brain research:

Andrewes (2001)

Answer 4

The split brain procedure is rare nowadays and thus the procedure isn’t encountered in sufficient numbers too be useful for research

A: Argues that many studies are presented with as few as three or even just one participant. Therefore, conclusions have been drawn from individuals who either have a confounding physical disorder, that made split brain procedure necessary or have had a less complete section of the two hemispheres