Split Brain Research

Question 1

Why is language subject to hemispheric lateralisation

Answer 1

Controlled by left hemisphere

Question 2

Describe what split brain research is

Answer 2

1. Corpus callosum cut,to separate hemispheres to prevent severe epileptic seizures
2. Allowed the exploration of what functions each hemisphere had

Question 3

What were the 4 tasks patients had to do?

Answer 3

1. Describe what you see
2. Recognition by touch
3. Composite words
4. Matching faces

Question 4

Describe the general set of of the experiment

Answer 4

1. Image projected to right or left visual field
2. Normal brains can share information so complete visual field
3. Info to one hemisphere cannot be conveyed to another in split brain

Question 5

Describe ‘describe what you see’ finding

Answer 5

1. Could describe object in right visual field
2. Could not if left VF as processed in right hemisphere where there are no language centres
3. In normal brain can relay information across

Question 6

Describe ‘recognition by touch’ findings

Answer 6

1. Although could not describe image in left VF they could select matching object with left hand
2. Could process and select using right hemisphere
3. Match cigarette with ashtray

Question 7

Describe ‘composite words’ findings

Answer 7

1. Two words flashed in either visual field

2. Would select left object with left hand but would say it was the right FV object

Question 8

Describe matching faces findings

Answer 8

1. Asked to match face
2. Right hem (left VF) consistently selected while left hem pic was ignored
3. When two half faces left hem could describe while right hem could match face

Question 9

Developed understanding of mental processes

Answer 9

1. Their Research showed that left is geared towards analytic and verbal tasks
2. Right for spatial and music
3. Right can only produce basic words but contributes emotion and holistic content to language

Question 10

High methodological control

Answer 10

1. Highly standardised procedures
2. Typically participants would be asked to stare at vacation point
3. Sperry flashed image for 1/10 a second so eye could not move across visual field and share info in brain
4. Allowed to study variation with useful and well controlled procedure

Question 11

Issues with generalising

Answer 11

1. Unusual sample of 11 epileptic patients whom had had varying decrees of surgery
2. Surgery and epilepsy could have affected results
3. Control had no history of epilepsy (should have)