Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology - 4.2 Studies — Edexcel GCSE Psychology
Test yourself on Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology - 4.2 Studies with PEARSON EDEXCEL GCSE practice questions.
7 days Premium · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology - 4.2 Studies explained
Sperry (1968) investigated hemisphere deconnection to understand brain lateralisation and unity in conscious awareness.
Read the full explanation
The study involved 11 patients who had a corpus callosotomy to treat severe epilepsy. Sperry used a tachistoscope to present visual stimuli to either the left or right visual field for 0.1 seconds. When an image was shown to the right visual field (processed by the left hemisphere), patients could name it. When shown to the left visual field (processed by the right hemisphere), they could not name it but could select a matching object with their left hand. This demonstrated that the left hemisphere is responsible for language, while the right hemisphere excels in spatial tasks, showing divided conscious awareness.
Your focus
- Describe the aim, procedure, and findings of Sperry's (1968) study.
- Explain how the findings of Sperry (1968) support the concept of hemispheric lateralisation.
- Evaluate the methodology of Sperry's (1968) study, including its sample and controls.
Topic 4: The brain and neuropsychology - 4.2 Studies exam tips
Marking Points
- Identify the sample size as 11 split-brain patients.
- Recognise the independent variable as having a split brain or not, noting it was a quasi-experiment.
- Recall that stimuli presented to the right visual field are processed by the left hemisphere.
- State that the left hemisphere is responsible for language production.
- Identify that the right hemisphere can process spatial information and control the left hand.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Memorise the specific presentation time of 0.1 seconds used to prevent eye movement across visual fields.
- 💡Use the phrase 'contralateral control' to describe how the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body.
- 💡When answering questions on Sperry, clearly distinguish between the visual field, the hemisphere processing the information, and the hand used to respond.
Common Mistakes
- Mistake: Believing the left eye sends information only to the left hemisphere. Correction: Information from the left visual field of both eyes goes to the right hemisphere.
- Mistake: Thinking split-brain patients have lower intelligence. Correction: The surgery did not affect their overall intelligence or personality, only specific lateralised functions.
- Mistake: Confusing the functions of the hemispheres. Correction: Remember that the left hemisphere is dominant for language, while the right is dominant for spatial and visual tasks.