Sperry's split brain study Flashcards
What was the aim?
To investigate the effects of the connection of the two hemispheres and prove each hemisphere has different functions.
What was the experiment method used?
Quasi experiment
What was the design used?
Individual
How many participants where there?
11 participants
Why where the participants picked?
They had all had there two hemisphere’s disconnected within the last 5 years after there seizures did not respond to drug therapy .
How was the study carried out
Participants where sat in a chair and told to look at a certain point,certain objects would briefly flash either side of this point so only one hemisphere could see it.
What tasks where participants asked to complete
- told to identify objects seen by right/left eye.
- told to find object they saw on table and identify what it is.
What where the results?
- Particpants could only recognize the image as something they’d seen if it was originally been one they’d seen in one visual field.
- if seen in the left visual field they could draw it but name it
- if seen in the right they could name it.
- Participants could pick out objects they’d seen
- the right side woulc carry out simple math
- the left was able to sort objects by,shape,size,texture.
What was the conclusion of the study?
The brain consists of two seemingly independent hemispheres ,each with its own consciousness and that there is no transfer of information between the two sides.
What where the weakness’s of the study?
- Validity is questionable due to the small sample
- lack ecological validity
- could be consider unethical
What where the strengths?
-Was mostly ethical (no lies where told,participants consented)
What debate can it be linked to?
Free will/determinism.
