BP - Split Brain

Question 1

what is the optic chiasm

Answer 1

part of the corpus callosum where the visual pathways cross over

Question 2

function of the left side of the brain

Answer 2

• processes information from right side of the body
• viewing objects in the right visual field
• logic

Question 3

function of the right side of the brain

Answer 3

• processes information from the left side of the body
• creativity
• facial recognition
• spatial tasks
• viewing objects in left visual field

Question 4

what was Sperry’s split brain procedure

Answer 4

• recruited 11 participants for a quasi-experiment who had their corpus callosum cut to treat epilepsy
• he had his participants gaze at a fixation point in the centre of the screen
• this tests what they are seeing in each visual field

Question 4

what is a commissurotomy

Answer 4

the division of the 2 hemispheres by surgery

Question 4

what were Sperry’s findings when asked to describe what they saw when they saw a picture in their RVF

Answer 4

they are able to describe the picture verbally

Question 5

what were Sperry’s findings when asked to describe an image in LVF

Answer 5

no they could not verbally describe it and repprted seeing nothing

Question 6

what were Sperry’s findings when asked to draw and say objects in 2 different visual fields

Answer 6

they drew what was on the left side but said it was on the right side of the screen

Question 7

what were the conclusions of Sperry’s study

Answer 7

• when we separate the hemispheres, we can see they act differently
• right can recall and identify stimuli but can’t verbalise
• left hemisphere (in RH people) is specialised for speech and writing

Question 8

what did the split brain study indicate

Answer 8

Question 9

limitations of Sperry’s study

Answer 9

• all patients were epileptic so brains could function differently
• small sample size of 11 so cannot generalise
• no control group so cannot draw comparisons
• only done on men (later worked suggests women have more lateralized brains)

Question 10

strengths of Sperry’s procedure

Answer 10

• stimuli was simple, internally valid
• practical application
• ethical and commisutary was already done