Split Brain Research

Question 1

What is meant by a split brain? (Intro)

Answer 1

• split brain patients have had surgery to cut the area that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, called corpus callosum
• normally treats epilepsy but it has a major side effect that both hemispheres become functionally seperate

Question 2

Outline the aim, method and sample of the split brain research (there is no researcher mentioned)

Answer 2

• Split brain research was done to investigate the effect of severing the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain on functioning
• using a natural exp
• on 11 indv who had their corpus callosum severed due to surgery

Question 3

What was the procedure for the split brain research?

Answer 3

• ppts sit infront of a screen, fixating gaze on a spot in the middle of a screen
• ppts were presented with visual info to RVF or LVF for 1/10th of a second
• to ensure there isnt enough time for opp VF to switch focus to visual info

Question 4

What were the findings?

Answer 4

• objects seen in RVF could be named verbally and by writing
• this is bc the image would be processed by the lang centres in the left side of the brain
• however objects seen in LVF can only be identified by pointing

Question 5

What were the conclusions?

Answer 5

• the two hemispheres of the brain have diff abilities and functions
• but only the left produces lang and right can recall and identify info but cannot verbalise it

Question 6

What are the three AO3 PEELS to evaluate split brain research?

Answer 6

Strength - scientific methods
Weakness - indv diff
RTC by patient EB