Split Brain Research

• What are the two hemispheres of the brain called?

  Left and right hemispheres
• What happens if the connection between the left and right hemispheres is cut?

  It stops communication between each hemisphere
• What is the name of the connection between the left and right hemispheres?

  Corpus callosum
• How many nerve fibers are in the corpus callosum?

  200 to 300 million nerve fibers
• What is the function of the right side of the brain?

  It deals with visual information from the left visual field
• What was the purpose of cutting the corpus callosum in patients with severe epilepsy?

  To stop electrical seizures from bouncing between the hemispheres
• What did Sperry's research in 1969 focus on?

  Split brain patients who had their corpus callosum cut
• In Sperry's divided field experiment, how were participants tested?

  They looked at a dot on a screen while words or images were flashed to each visual field
• Where are the language centers located in the brain?

  Only in the left side of the brain
• What could split brain patients do when shown the word "key" in their right visual field?

  They could say "key" because it was processed in the left hemisphere
• What could split brain patients do when shown the word "saw" in their left visual field?

  They could not say "saw" but could draw it with their left hand
• What did Sperry's research reveal about the right hemisphere's capabilities?

  The right hemisphere is better at recognizing faces
• What are some criticisms of Sperry's research using split brain patients?

  • Small sample size limits generalizability
  • Comparison group not representative
  • Variability in disconnection levels among patients
  • Influence of prior drug therapy on results
  • Lack of mundane realism in experimental conditions
• What is alien hand syndrome?

  It is a condition where one hand acts independently and seems to fight against the other hand
• Who is a notable researcher associated with split brain research?

  Roger Sperry
• What philosophical implication does Sperry's research suggest about consciousness?

  It suggests that consciousness may be a collection of separate intelligent processes
• What is the main focus of the video discussed in the study material?

  Sperry's split brain research
• What is the significance of the corpus callosum in brain function?

  It allows quick communication between the left and right hemispheres
• How might the findings of split brain research be relevant to understanding human behavior?

  They provide insights into the specialization of brain functions
• How does the cutting of the corpus callosum affect visual processing in split brain patients?

  It prevents the sharing of visual information between hemispheres