split brain research

Question 1

what is split brain?

Answer 1

• patients had surgery splitting corpus collosum to relieve severe epilepsy
• hemispheres now function separately

Question 2

split brain research

Answer 2

AIM - investigate the effect of severing the connection between the two hemispheres.
METHOD - natural experiment
PARTICIPANTS - 11 individuals that have had split brain surgery

Question 3

split brain research procedure + results

Answer 3

1. ppts sat in front of screen fixating gaze on spot in middle
2. ppts presented with visual info to either right or left visual field for 1/10th of a second (cant switch visual field)

• objects in right visual field processed by left hemisphere (language) so can name verbally and in writing
• objects in left visual field processed by right hemisphere (recognition) so cannot name but recognise by pointing

Question 4

split brain research AO3

Answer 4

:) - scientific methods
- objective and empirical techniques eg lab used to identify which hemisphere responsible for task
- split brain only able to say image in RVF
- raises psychology’s scientific status

:( - individual differences
- degree to which corpus collosum severed differed between ppts
- may still be some ability to communicate between hemispheres
- not measuring true effects
- reduces internal validity