Split-Brain

• Sperry (1968)
• Sperry's experiments demonstrate that brain functions are lateralised
• If the Images processed in the right hemisphere can't then be spoken of, this suggests that image processing and language processing happen in different hemispheres
• Image shown to left visual field patient were unable to describe in words the image but could pick up the objects associated with that image
• Split brain patients shown a cigarette in left visual can use their left hand to pick up an ashtray
• Methodological concerns ; Split brain patients are rare so its hard to apply to an entire population, patients are anomalous as they have epilepsy and will have been treating it with drugs
• 11 participants took part in Sperry’s experiments
• Gazzaniga (1998) Patient J.W. Conflicting evidence of Sperry
• J.W learned to speak about information presented to his right hemisphere 13 years after undergoing a corpus callostomy
• Danelli et al (2013) Boy x
• EB had his entire left hemisphere removed and was able to learn how to speak
• Boy x weakens the idea that hemispheric lateralisation as they show how functions can actually be performed by both hemispheres
• Sperry’s research will lead to an oversimplification of the different functions of the left and right hemispheres
• Motor cortex is responsible for voluntary movement
• Motor cortex is located in the frontal lobe of each hemisphere
• Involuntary movement such as coughing are controlled by other parts of the brain
• Damage to the motor cortex may limit a person’s motor skills