⭐️ split brain research into hem. lat.✅

Question 1

definition of hemispheric lateralisation

definition of split brain research?

Answer 1

• the idea that each hemisphere is responsible for different functions. Each of these functions are localised to either the right or left side.
• studies involving how epileptic ppl who had experienced surgical separation of the two hemispheres as treatment for their condition… (corpus collasum was sethered) allowed researchers to look into how much the brain is lateralised to functioning by hemisphere, not together

Question 2

sperry’s split brain study:

what was the aim?

method?

why did these ppl have split Brian surgery?

Answer 2

• examine how the hemispheres function for different things
• got SB ppts to look at a dot in front of them and flashes images / words on either the left or right side of the dot
• this was either in their left visual field or right visual field, couldnt be processed by the opposite due to the cut
• ppl with elipsely were having fits bc the 2 hemispheres couldn’t communicate causing confusion in the brain

Question 3

visual fields?

• how does it work on a normal person?
• how does it work on a split brain patient?
• how many visual fields do you have in the eye?

Answer 3

• LVF → RH
  RVF → LH
• LVF → LH
  RVF → RH
  (the info cant cross over how it should because the corpus collasum between the 2 hemispheres has been split)
• 2 in each , L&R , L&R

Question 4

hemispheres:

what does the right hem do?

what does the left hem do?

Answer 4

right hem = visual + motor tasks

left hem = speech + language

Question 5

what were the 3 tasks?

Answer 5

1️⃣describe what you see = a picture was shown to either the LVF or RVF and the participant had to say what they saw

2️⃣tactile test = an object was placed in the patient’s left or right hand and they had to describe what they felt, or select a similar object from a series of alternate objects.

3️⃣drawing task = ppts were presented with a picture in either their left or right VF, and drew what they saw.

Question 6

findings of the 3 tasks:

Answer 6

1️⃣ described what you see:

• when the picture was presented to their RVF they could describe (bc its in the LH)
• when pic was presented to LVF they couldn’t, saw nothing

2️⃣ tactile test: (touch)

• object in right hand = could verbally describe what they felt
• object in left hand = couldnt describe

3️⃣ drawing:

• image presented to RVF = right hand (controlled by LH) attempted but wasn’t as clear as the left
• image presented to LVF = left hand drew better (controlled by RH)

this demonstrates the superiority of the RH when it comes to visual and motor tasks

Question 7

A03:

✅ strength?

❌ weakness?

Answer 7

✅ assumed that the main advantage of brain lateralisation is that it increases neural processing capacity (the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously). Rogers found that in a domestic chicken, brain lateralisation is associated with an enhanced ability to perform two tasks simultaneously (finding food and being vigilant for predators). Using only one hemisphere to engage in a task leaves the other hemisphere free to engage in other functions. This provides evidence for the advantages of brain lateralisation and demonstrates how it can enhance brain efficiency in cognitive tasks.

❌ language may not be restricted to the left hemisphere. Turk discovered a patient who suffered damage to the left hemisphere but developed the capacity to speak in the right hemisphere, eventually leading to the ability to speak about the information presented to either side of the brain. suggesting that perhaps lateralisation is not fixed and that the brain can adapt following damage to certain areas.