Hemispheric Lateralisation

• What is lateralization in the context of the brain?


  Lateralization refers to the idea that the brain has two halves, each with specialized functions.
• What is the specialization of the left hemisphere of the brain?


  The left hemisphere is primarily responsible for language.
• What is the role of the right hemisphere of the brain?


  The right hemisphere is important for visual and motor tasks.
• How can we talk about experiences processed in the right hemisphere?


  We can talk about experiences in the right hemisphere because the hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum.
• What happens if the corpus callosum is severed?


  If the corpus callosum is severed, the left and right hemispheres cannot communicate directly.
• What is the effect of severing the corpus callosum on the functioning of the hemispheres?


  After severing, each hemisphere can function independently but cannot share information.
• If a split-brain patient is asked to name an object, which hemisphere is likely to respond?


  The left hemisphere is likely to respond when naming an object.
• What can the right hemisphere do if an object is shown only to it?


  The right hemisphere can allow the person to draw or point to the object but not verbally identify it.
• What is a limitation of tasks requiring both hemispheres to work together?


  Tasks requiring both hemispheres may become difficult after the corpus callosum is severed.
• What did the study by Logos et al. (2004) find regarding lateralization in chickens?


  The study found that lateralized chickens could find food while watching for predators, unlike normal chickens.
• What did FINK et al. (1996) use to study lateralization of function?


  FINK et al. (1996) used PET scans to study lateralization of function.
• How does lateralization of function change with aging?

  Lateralization of function changes with aging, often shifting from lateralized patterns in younger individuals to more bilateral patterns in older adults.
• What is a limitation of case studies in research?


  Case studies cannot be generalized to the wider population.
• What is the procedure used in Sperry's split-brain research?


  • 11 split-brain individuals were studied.
  • An image or word was projected to the right visual field (processed by the left hemisphere).
  • The same or different image was projected to the left visual field (processed by the right hemisphere).
• What were the findings of Sperry's research regarding object recognition?


  • When an object was shown to the right visual field, participants could describe it.
  • When the same object was shown to the left visual field, participants could not verbally identify it but could select a matching object using their left hand.