split brain research

Question 1

what connects the 2 hemispheres ?

Answer 1

• the corpus corlosum

Question 2

what can people with severe epilepsy have to reduce symptoms ?

Answer 2

• they can have surgery to disconnect the hemispheres
• and these people can be studied to develop knowledge on the hemispheres

Question 3

Sperry’s research method

Answer 3

• 11 ps with a severed corpus corlosum and a control group with an intact corpus corlosum
• ps covered 1 eye and looked at a fixed point on the screen
• pictures flashed on the right/left side of the screen really fast

Question 4

Sperry’s results

Answer 4

• all ps could tell what picture was on the right visual field
• split brain ps could not say what pic was on the left visual field
• could draw objects with left hand
• supports lateralisation of functions

Question 5

why could split brain ps not say what pic was on the left visual field ?

Answer 5

• as info was not accessing language areas in the left hemisphere

Question 6

Sperry’s conclusions ?

Answer 6

• different areas of the brain specialise in different functions
• left hemisphere ( which recreates visual info from the rvf) can convert sight into spoken or written language
• doesnt happen with split brain ps as info going into the right hemisphere cant be converted into language