The Split-Brain Problem (Pattern Recognition) Jane Halonen
Early studies in brain function led to the conclusion that the hemispheres of the
Cerebra; cortex specialize in certain kinds of activities, Some reports have
exaggerated the difference between the right and left brain effects on behavior;
in reality, most behaviors rely on an integrated functioning that causes both
hemispheres to hum with electrical activity. However, we can explore the idea of
hemispheric specialization by identifying the side of the brain that might be
primarily responsible for certain behaviors. The discussion here assumes a
right-handed person with no brain damage.
The left hemisphere is primarily responsible for matters of language, symbols, logic, and
mathematics. The right hemisphere, sometimes referred to the more creative hemisphere,
responds to spatial, musical, and emotional kinds of stimuli. Designate each of the following
behaviors with an R If it is a right-hemisphere specialization and an L is a left-hemisphere
specialization. (See Answer Key.)
Studying concepts from psychology
Drawing a map of your campus
______
Daydreaming about your next holiday trip
______
Listening to a piano concert
______
Listening to rap music
______
Thinking about your next night out
______
Reading junk mail
______
6 x 4 -2 + 5 =
______
Redecorating your room
______
Doodling
______
Completing this form
______
The split-brain exercise engages us in using the five critical thinking skills of pattern
recognition: We must observe the target behavior, infer the type of cognitive skill represented
in the target behavior and, relate the inference to the appropriate hemisphere responsible for
that type of skill in order to explain hemispheric specialization. Then we describe our
conclusions, emphasizing appropriate behavioral concepts.
After completing this exercise, you should be able to
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differentiate the primary functions of the right and left hemispheres.
state the kind of brain function implied by each activity,
identify the targeted brain ability and relate it to the proper hemisphere.
speculate about the possible losses that might he connected with hemispheric
damage.
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Halonen, Jane. The Critical Thinking Companion for Introductory Psychology.
Worth Publishers, 1995
The Split-Brain Problem Answer Key
Studying concepts from psychology is primarily a left-hemisphere activity (L) because most
concepts presented in your book are presented verbally. However, textbook illustrations and
graphics also involve the right hemisphere (R), though' to a lesser extent.
Drawing a map of your campus engages both hemispheres (L and R). The left hemisphere interprets
the labels and the right hemisphere interprets the images.
Daydreaming about a holiday trip is primarily a right-hemisphere (R) function. Our fantasies
generally take the form of images, which are processed on the right side of the brain.
Listening to a piano concerto is essentially a right-hemisphere activity (R). The absence a lyrics
leaves the left hemisphere less involved.
Listening to rap music engages both hemispheres (L and RI: the right hemisphere attend to
the powerful tempo and musical elements of the music while the left interprets th( lyrics.
Thinking about your next "night out" draws on the right hemisphere (R) because the
activity involves fantasy, which is processed primarily on the right.
Raiding junk mail usually engages the left (L) hemisphere, unless the junk mail contains fancy
attention-getting graphics to capture your attention.
6 x4 - 2 1- 5 = This sequence, like other mathematical expressions, is processed ant evaluated
by the left hemisphere (L).
Redecorating your room engages the right hemisphere (R), this is a highly spatial activity.
Doodling engages the right hemisphere (R) in processing spatial stimuli; however,
right-hander's motor control in executing fine motor movements of the right hand wil be
governed by the left hemisphere (L).
Completing this farm probably starts out as a left hemisphere (L) event, activated by processing
the words on the page, However, you may have to picture in your mind the image created in the
words, this shifts some thinking to the right hemisphere (R). Writing down your answer again
involves both hemispheres, through language processing and fine motor movement,
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Halonen, Jane. The Critical Thinking Companion for Introductory Psychology.
Worth Publishers, 1995