Split Brain Research/hemispheric Laterisation

Question 1

What is hemispheric laterisation

Answer 1

2 hemispheres of the Brain are functionally different and certain mental processes are controlled by one or the other

Question 2

Where is language produced

Answer 2

Left hemisphere- subject to lateralisation so specialised areas are associated with 1 hemisphere not both

Question 3

Split brain research

Answer 3

Sperry 1986

Question 4

Background of sperry 1986

Answer 4

Group of individuals had susrgery that separates the two hemisphere (split brain) in order to cut off the communication between the two halves in order to see the extent to which each halve is specialised to specific functions

Question 5

Procedure of sperry(1986)

Answer 5

An image or word was projected into the right visual field and then the left visual field so that the information can be conveyed to one side or the other

Question 6

Findings of sperry 1986

Answer 6

When right visual field participant could easily describe what was seen
When left visual field same was shown amd participant couldn’t describe what was seen and said there was nothing there so there was a lack in language centres that are needed to identify what is being seen however participants where able to find a similar object in the left visual field by searching through a bag using left hand

If 2 words where presented at the same time eg key on left, ring on right the patient would pick up and key with left hand and say the word ring
The left hemisphere dominated in terms of verbal description and the right dominanted in selecting a matching picture