Physiological - Sperry Flashcards
What was the aim of this investigation
To study the effects split brain surgery has had on patients and to use the results to understand the right and left hemisphere functions in normal people
What was the main focus of this study?
Hemisphere disconnection
What was the research method
Natural experiment and case study in a lab environment
What was the sample technique?
Opportunity
Describe the sample in this study
11 split brain patients, two of which had surgery a mo time before, the others recently.
What was the IV
Whether the participants had had spilt brain surgery or not
What was the DV
The results of the tests, and any comments made during them
What were the controls in this experiment?
The task were carried out in a highly scientific location with standardised equipment
What was the procedure for the visual task?
The participants were asked to focus at a fixation point with one eye closed. A object would then appear to the left or right of the dot for 1/10th of a second. Depending on what eye they had closed they were then told to either draw or say what they had seen in their visual field they would then flash something both sides of the dot and they would only be able to say or draw one of the objects in the open visual field
What was the procedure of the tactile task?
The participants would put their hands through a gap below the screen, meaning they couldn’t see through. Here there would be a variety of objects, which would be given to one particular hand and they would be asked to say or describe it
What were the results of the visual task?
If presented to the right visual field they could easily name the object and describe it. If it was presented to the left visual field they could not name it, but if they closed their eyes they could draw it correctly. When objects flashes on both sides and one eye was closed they could name or draw one of the objects, but would deny seeing the other
Outline one conclusion of this study
This study supports the lateralisation of the brain functions, the idea that each half of the brain has a different function
What are the practical applications of this study?
- helps us understand lateralisation of brain functions
- allows for further research
- explains what damage can happen to stroke or injury victims
Discuss the ecological validity
Good as people in reality do suffer from this, and it looks at their naturally occurring behaviour. However mainly it is problematic, as in reality they can use both hemispheres and are not limited to just one
Evaluate the ethics of this study
Good as they gave consent, were debriefed and were not deceived about the aims of the study. Bad however as the experiment could have made them feel abnormal and uncomfortable
