Splt Brain Research Into Hemispheric Lateralisation- Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is hemispheric lateralisation?
The idea that the two brain hemispheres are functionally different, with some mental processes mainly specialised to either the left or right hemisphere.
How does brain damage help understand hemispheric lateralisation?
Damage to one hemisphere impairs functions mainly done by that hemisphere, e.g., left hemisphere damage can impair language.
What is the role of the corpus callosum in hemispheric lateralisation studies?
The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres; cutting it (in split-brain patients) prevents communication between hemispheres.
What visual field information is processed by each hemisphere?
Left visual field → right hemisphere; Right visual field → left hemisphere.
Which hemisphere controls language?
The left hemisphere.
How is motor control lateralised?
Left hemisphere controls right side of the body; right hemisphere controls left side.
What is the main finding from Sperry’s split brain procedure regarding describing images?
Images in the right visual field (left hemisphere) can be verbally described; images in the left visual field (right hemisphere) cannot be verbally described due to lack of language centres.
How can split brain patients communicate information shown to the right hemisphere?
They can draw the image with their left hand, which is controlled by the right hemisphere.
What is shown by the recognition by touch task in split brain patients?
Even if they cannot verbally identify an object seen in the left visual field, they can pick the matching object with their left hand.
What happens when two words are presented simultaneously to different visual fields?
The patient writes the word shown to the left visual field with their left hand and says the word shown to the right visual field aloud.
Which hemisphere is dominant for recognising faces?
The right hemisphere.
How do split brain patients respond to a face made of fruit shown to the left versus right visual field?
Left visual field (right hemisphere) → identify as a face; right visual field (left hemisphere) → identify as fruit.
