Lateralisation of Function

Question 1

What is lateralisation?

Answer 1

The two hemispheres of the brain are asymmetrically different in their functions

Question 2

What is the role of the right hemisphere?

Answer 2

1. Controls left side of body
2. Large role in spatial awareness
3. Ability to recognise and understand facts
4. Involved in processing music that we hear and visual info that we see
5. More creative hemisphere

Question 3

What is the role of the left hemisphere?

Answer 3

1. Controls right side of body
2. Large role in language processing- Contains Broca’s area - controls production of speech
3. More logical hemisphere

Question 4

What are the two hemispheres separated by?

Answer 4

The corpus callosum - thick band of nerves that enables the two hemispheres to share motor, cognitive and sensory info

Question 5

What are the strengths of using lateralisation of function as an explanation of sex differences?

Answer 5

1. Harasty et al (1997)
   - Language processing and producing area is slightly bigger in females
2. Rilea et al (2005)
   - Men were better at some spatial tasks esp. those involving the right hemis.

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of using lateralisation of function as an explanation of sex differences?

Answer 6

1. Sommer et al (2004)
   - No strong evidence that females used both hemis for language tasks so not a good explanation
2. Rilea et al (2005)

• Men didn’t always do better
• Spatial tasks used didn’t involve much r.b activity