Split-brain research
Biopsychology Recap
Information from each side of the body is
processed by the opposite side of the
brain, this is referred to as conterlareral.
The right hemisphere specialises with
spacial information and the left
hemisphere is localised for language
centres. This idea that behaviour is
controlled by just one hemisphere is
called hemispheric lateralisation. The
notion that specific brain areas are
responsible for particular brain functions,
eg, motor, auditory, etc is called
localisation of function. The
hemispheres of the brain are joined by a
muscular fibre called the corpus
callosum.
Sperry & Split-brain research
Sperry’s Experiment on the Broken brain documentary.
1. In this experiment, describe what these
‘split-brain’ patients are able to do
She can gesture the correct number when the number is
placed in her left hand
2. Describe what they are unable to do
She cannot say the correct number which she just researched
3. Explain this finding using your knowledge of the brain and hemispheric
lateralisation
Numbers are placed in her left hand, which communicates with the right hemisphere of the
brain. Since the right hemisphere can’t speak, it gestures the correct number. The left
hemisphere is responsible for speech and language centres, cannot see or feel the items in
the left hand as the information in the brain is processed contralaterally. The left
hemisphere dosn't have access to this information because the corpus callosum has been
cut.
4. Does split-brain research support or go against hemispheric lateralisation?
This research supports the localisation of function, that specific brain areas are responsible
for particular brain functions.
Biopsychology Recap
Information from each side of the body is
processed by the opposite side of the
brain, this is referred to as conterlareral.
The right hemisphere specialises with
spacial information and the left
hemisphere is localised for language
centres. This idea that behaviour is
controlled by just one hemisphere is
called hemispheric lateralisation. The
notion that specific brain areas are
responsible for particular brain functions,
eg, motor, auditory, etc is called
localisation of function. The
hemispheres of the brain are joined by a
muscular fibre called the corpus
callosum.
Sperry & Split-brain research
Sperry’s Experiment on the Broken brain documentary.
1. In this experiment, describe what these
‘split-brain’ patients are able to do
She can gesture the correct number when the number is
placed in her left hand
2. Describe what they are unable to do
She cannot say the correct number which she just researched
3. Explain this finding using your knowledge of the brain and hemispheric
lateralisation
Numbers are placed in her left hand, which communicates with the right hemisphere of the
brain. Since the right hemisphere can’t speak, it gestures the correct number. The left
hemisphere is responsible for speech and language centres, cannot see or feel the items in
the left hand as the information in the brain is processed contralaterally. The left
hemisphere dosn't have access to this information because the corpus callosum has been
cut.
4. Does split-brain research support or go against hemispheric lateralisation?
This research supports the localisation of function, that specific brain areas are responsible
for particular brain functions.
