Localisation of Function (brain)

• What is hemispheric lateralisation?

  The division of functions between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
• What would it mean if a function in the brain was contralateral?

  The function would be carried out on the opposite side from the hemisphere.
• What does the corpus callosum do?

  Connects hemispheres
• What is a split brain?

  Where the corpus callosum has been surgically cut, disconnecting the hemispheres. This supports hemispheric lateralisation.
• What were the findings of Sperry’s study?

  Showed that verbal tasks were hemispherically lateralised but visual tasks were not.
• 3 limitations of split brain research?

  Only uses a small sample of patients (cannot generalise results), confounding variable that all patients suffered from seizures, lack of replicablity.
• Limitation of hemispheric lateralisation?

  Patient EB (case study) but has language skills recovered even though most of his left hemisphere was removed.