Tierney et al. (2001)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

MA was a 37-year-old man who had a lesion in his left frontal lobe which was theorized to be the result of brain inflammation suffered when he was a small child. Because he had deaf parents, he had been using sign language to communicate with them from a very young age.

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

To evaluate bilingual language compensation while using a PET scan.

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Researchers compared MA to 12 control participants who were fluent in sign language. PET scanning were used while the participants produced narrative speech or signs.

Question 4

Results

Answer 4

MA’s right hemisphere was more active than the controls’ during the production of both speech and sign language.

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

Language function developed in the right hemisphere instead of the left hemisphere as an adaptation.

Question 6

Strengths

Answer 6

The results wouldn’t have been seen if other technologies such as EEG’s and MRI’s were used.