Exploring:extent that the two

halves of the brain function independently

By:Surgically severing

the corpus callosum

Roger W. Sperry

Michael Gazzaniga

Testing patient’s mental (cognitive) abilities in each hemisphere

Visual Abilities-board w/ lights

Tactile (touch) Stimulations-recognition of

familiar objects behind backAuditory Abilities

-identification of objects in a bag when verbally commanded

Said they only saw lights on right side, but when asked to point at flashing light they pointed to all.

Recognized & named only the objects placed in right hand, but matched object in left hand when presented.

Could identify certain specific objects in a bag with right hand when verbally commanded, but when left hand was used they were unable to identify.

2 hemispheres have specialized skills & functions

Right Hemisphere Left Hemisphere

-recognizing faces

-solving problems (relationships)

-symbolic reasoning

-artistic activities

-language (non-verbal)

-speaking

-writing

-mathematical calculation

-reading

-language (verbal)

Ethical Questions/Criticisms?Not too critical

Integration of both halves vs. two separate minds Jarre Levy

One stronger than other?

Allows more effective treatment of victims of a stroke or head injury

More exploration on the two separate hemispheresChildren born without corpus callosumComparing people with left dominant and right

dominant handMultiple Personality Disorder