Sperry

Question 1

What was Sperry’s aim?

Answer 1

1. Test the effect of hemispheric deconnections

2. Investigate whether cognition differs between hemispheres

Question 2

Identify 3 features of Sperry’s sample?

Answer 2

1. 11 participants (1 F)
2. Opportunity sampling
3. Brains cut in half to stop spread of seizures & to prevent exchange of info between hemispheres

Question 3

What research method was used?

Answer 3

Method = Quasi experiment

Question 4

What was the IV, DV & 1 control

Answer 4

IV = having split brain

DV = ability to perform visual/tactile tests

CONTROL = cover non tested eye & time exposed to stimulus

Question 5

How long was the stimulus presented for?

Why was length of time chosen?

Answer 5

1. 1/10 of a second

2. To fast for eye movements to get info to other visual field

Question 6

How was the tactile test administered?

Answer 6

There was a gap below the screen that participants reached through & grabbed objects

Question 7

What were 2 of Sperry’s results from both the visual & tactile tests?

Answer 7

VISUAL

1. Info shown & responded to in 1 VF can only be recognised by SAME VF
2. Info presented to RVF (LH) = described in speech/writing. Info presented to LVF (RH) = would be able to pick out matching object amongst collection

TACTILE

1. Objects placed in right hand (LH) = described in speech/writing. Objects placed in left hand (RH) = only make wild guesses
2. Objects felt by 1 hand can only be recognised by SAME hand

Question 8

What were 2 of Sperry’s conclusions?

Answer 8

1. Split brain patients have 2 independent streams of consciousness. Each with own memories & impulses
2. Split brain patients lack cross integration = 2nd hemisphere is unaware of what 1st hemisphere is doing