Split Brain Research

Question 1

Key ideas of split brain research

Answer 1

Right hemisphere: Visuo motor tasks
Left: language and speech
Corpus callosum connects
Brain lateralisation: each hemisphere has functional specialisation

Question 2

Corpus callosum

Answer 2

Bundle of connecting nerve fibres that allow info received by one hemisphere to another
Severed in some cases to treat severe epilepsy; restricts to on hemisphere

Question 3

Sperry and Gazzaniga

Answer 3

Send visual info to one hemisphere at a time: info given to left vis field travels to right hemisphere and vice versa
Severing of corpus callosum; no way of travelling to the other hemisphere and thus only processed by the hem that receives it

Question 4

Typical split brain procedure

Answer 4

1) ppts fixate in a dot in the centre of a screen while info is presented to left/ right visual field
2) asked to respond with left/ right hand (left more language, right visuo motor)

Question 5

Positive of split brain

Answer 5

Developed understanding of the role of each hemisphere and extent of lateralisation

Question 6

Findings of sperry and gazzaniga

Answer 6

Left vis field: right hem- cannot say but can draw
Right vis field: left hem- able to verbalise
Painting of face made from vegetables as veg it as face
+ given insight into hemispheric lateralisation

Question 7

Criticisms of sperry and gazzaniga

Answer 7

Artificially produced as in real life corpus callosum severed patient would use both eyes in combination
Methodologically flawed as few examples, split brain could be related to issue that caused the initial need for surgery

Question 8

Research evidence against split brain

Answer 8

Research of EB suggests that right hemisphere is able to handle language as it compensated for the loss of left

Question 9

Karen Byrne

Answer 9

How movement is lateralised
Suffered epilepsy so took decision to operate and cut connection
Left hand functioned separately from body and diagnosed with alien hand syndrome