A01

• What does a 'split-brain' operation involve?

  Severing connections between the RH and LH
• Why is a 'split-brain' operation performed?

  To reduce epilepsy
• What happens during an epileptic seizure?

  The brain experiences excessive electrical activity
• How does severing connections help reduce fits?

  It prevents electrical activity from spreading
• What is the main structure severed in a split-brain operation?

  The corpus callosum
• What does split-brain research study?

  How hemispheres function without communication
• Who conducted research on split-brain operations?

  Roger Sperry
• What year did Roger Sperry conduct his research?

  1968
• What was the procedure used in Sperry's research?

  • Eleven split-brain participants studied
  • Images projected to RVF (LH) and LVF (RH)
  • Tested how each hemisphere processed information
• What happens in a 'normal' brain when an image is presented?

  The corpus callosum shares information between hemispheres
• What could participants describe when an object was shown to their RVF?

  They could describe what was seen
• What was the response when an object was shown to the LVF?

  Participants said there was 'nothing there'
• Why could participants not give verbal labels to LVF objects?

  Messages from the RH can't reach LH language centers
• What could participants do with objects projected to the LVF?

  They could select a matching object with their left hand
• What emotional reaction occurred when a pinup picture was shown to the LVF?

  Participants giggled but reported seeing nothing
• What conclusions can be drawn from Sperry's observations?

  • Certain functions are lateralised in the brain
  • LH is verbal while RH is 'silent' but emotional
• How do the functions of the LH and RH differ according to Sperry's research?

  LH is verbal; RH is emotional but silent