Psychology: Lesson 2 - Lateralisation of Function

• Lateralisation


  Lateralisation of function means that each hemisphere of the brain has different jobs or roles
• Some people are controlled more from the right than the left
• Asymmetrical function


  • The two hemispheres of the brain are not exactly the same in terms of their structure and functions. They look similar but they are not a mirror image
  • The right side of the brain controls the functions on the left side of the body whilst the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body
• Corpus Callosum


  A thick layer of nerve fibres which connects the two hemispheres and allows them to communicate with each other so that the brain can work as one organ
• Cutting through the Corpus Callosum


  What do you think would happen?
• Broca's area is a part of the brain
• Damage to Broca's area


  Short-term problems until the swelling goes down
• Damage to the left hemisphere


  Kunal might struggle with tasks
• Gender stereotype


  Preconceived ideas about the characteristics, attributes, and behaviors of men and women
• There are differences between the male and female brain
• Differences between male and female brains

  • Women have a thicker corpus collosum which could explain the stereotype that women are better at multitasking
  • Females are better at language skills which are controlled by the left brain
  • Males are better at spatial skills which are controlled by the right brain
  • Men have approximately 6.5 times the amount of grey matter than women which may help to explain why men tend to excel in tasks requiring more local processing
  • Women have nearly 10 times the amount of white matter than men which helps communication across the brain assisting with language skills