Sperry - Split Brain

Question 1

Aim 1

Answer 1

Each hemisphere has its own conscious awareness

Question 2

Aim 2

Answer 2

Each hemisphere has its own memories that are inaccessible to the other

Question 3

Which research method was used? Why?

Answer 3

Quasi experiment, having a split brain wasn’t manipulated by the researchers. Hemispheres were already disconnected to reduce severe epilepsy.

Question 4

What other type of study can this be classed as? Why?

Answer 4

A collection of case studies due to the in-depth research and progress carried out on a small group

Question 6

Was a control group required?

Answer 6

No because the function and abilities f the visual fields was already known for the non-spilt brain individuals

Question 7

Sample number and qualities

Answer 7

11 patients that had undergone an extensive midline section of the corpus callosum to control their severe epilepsy that couldn’t be controlled by medication

Question 8

Why did the participant have one eye covered?

Answer 8

So the visual stimulus can only be received by the correct visual field

Question 9

How and where were the visual stimuli presented?

Answer 9

The images were projected on a screen on either side of the centre point for 1/10 of a second

Question 10

Why 1/10 second?

Answer 10

Too fast for the eye movements to get the information in the wrong visual field

Question 11

To which hemisphere would the information travel to if… presented to the right visual field… presented to the left visual field

Answer 11

1. The left hemisphere - response was verbal

2. The right hemisphere - could draw with their left hand

Question 12

Where did the tactile tests take place?

Answer 12

In a gap below the screen so the patient couldn’t see their hands

Question 13

How were the tactile stimuli presented?

Answer 13

By placing objects in their hands and placing other object on the floor

Question 14

What is this conclusive apparatus called?

Answer 14

Tachistoscope

Question 15

What happened when visual and tactile stimuli were presented to the the right hand side of the body?

Answer 15

They could describe the stimulus in speech and writing

Question 16

What happened when visual and tactile stimuli were presented to the left hand side of the body?

Answer 16

They reported a bright flash and couldn’t describe what was presented. However, they could point to the matching picture with their left hand.

Question 17

What happened when a $ was presented to the left visual field and a ? to the right visual field?

Answer 17

When asked to draw the symbol they’ve seen they drew the $ with their left hand without looking. When asked what they’d drawn they’d report a ?

Question 18

When “foot” (LVF) and “ball” (RVF) were presented in different visual fields what happened?

Answer 18

They couldn’t say the full word but could draw the foot and say “ball”

Question 19

What was the DV?

Answer 19

Ability to perform a variety of visual and tactile tests

Question 20

What happened if the object was placed in the right hand?

Answer 20

It can be described in speech and writing and found in a grab bag by the same hand

Question 21

What happened when objects were placed in the left hand?

Answer 21

They took wild guesses as to what it was

Question 22

What happened when the examiner put pressure on one part of the hand and asked to repeat it on the same hand?

Answer 22

They were accurate in locating the same point on the same hand

Question 23

What happened when the examiner put pressure on one part of the hand and asked to repeat it on the other hand?

Answer 23

They couldn’t accurately locate the point

Question 24

Conclusion 1

Answer 24

People with split brains have two separate visual inner worlds, each with its own train of visual images

Question 25

Conclusion 2

Answer 25

Split brain patients have a lack of cross-integration where the second hemisphere here isn’t aware of the first hemisphere

Question 26

Conclusion 3

Answer 26

Split brain patients seem to have two independent streams of consciousness, each with their own memories, perceptions and functions