SPERRY

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate the effects of de connection of the corpus callosum and show how each hemisphere has different functions

Question 2

Sample

Answer 2

11 patient who had severe epilepsy and who had previously undergone a commisurotomy ( compared against those who had not had surgery)

Question 3

What was the procedure

Answer 3

Ps asked to fix eyes on a point in the middle of the screen with one eye covered. Stimulus projected on either left of right side for only 1/10th of a sec to ensure it could only be seen in one visual field

Question 4

Procedure of both visual fields

Answer 4

Subject looks at fixation point while 2 images are flashed on screen. Whatever is seen in the left visual field will be sent to the right side of brain. Ps asked what they see, them given a pen and asked to draw what they saw

Question 5

One hand procedure

Answer 5

Ps hands hidden from view behind a screen. Subject then asked to find an object corresponding to what they have on the screen. Object placed in one hand then asked to say what they have been given

Question 6

Both hands procedure

Answer 6

Subject given 2 different objects. Then taken away and asked to find objects from a pile

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

When ps shown image in one visual field, they would only recognise the image as one they had already seen if it was shown to same visual field. If shown in left visual field, subject couldn’t name but could draw. If shown in right, subject could feel with hands

Question 8

Conclusions

Answer 8

Left hemisphere specialised in speech and language
Right hemisphere is emotions and creativity
Study gave support that 2 sides of the brain have different functions
Np transfer between sides and own consciousness

Question 9

Ethics

Answer 9

Ps consented
No deception
No harm

Question 10

Validity

Answer 10

Extremely small sample as condition is rare. Have to question whether studies of the abnormal brain can be compared to “normal brain” as brains are all different. Lacks ecological validity

Question 11

Reliability

Answer 11

Sherry found general trends in research of brain function

Question 12

How does it link to psychology as a science

Answer 12

Carried out lab experiment that fulfills scientific criteria
Would be possible to prove false what speedy is saying by replicating his procedure with a differ group however such a sample may not be easy to obtain

Question 13

Link to usefulness debate

Answer 13

Ground breaking in beginning to understand the physiognomy of the brain
Revealed importance of the corpus callosum as a pathway for internal communication between 2 sides of the brain