lesson 6 hemispheric specialisation

Lesson 6: Hemispheric Specialisation

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

From Last Lesson.....Question 1When a basketballer shoots for a goal, which part of the brain sends the message instructing her to raise her shooting arm?A. the somatosensory cortexB. the prefrontal lobeC. the occipital lobeD. the motor cortex

Question 2a. The deeply furrowed or grooved layer of tissue that covers the cerebral hemispheres is known as the ______________(1 mark)

b. List two main functions of this grooved layer of tissue. (2 marks)


Question 1When a basketballer shoots for a goal, which part of the brain sends the message instructing her to raise her shooting arm?A. the somatosensory cortexB. the prefrontal lobeC. the occipital lobeD. the motor cortex


Question 2a. The deeply furrowed or grooved layer of tissue that covers the cerebral hemispheres is known as the Cerebral cortex (1 mark)b. List two main functions of this grooved layer of tissue. (2 marks)Functions include:• primary sensory functions/processing of sensory information• motor coordination and control/processing of motor information• ʻhigher mental processesʼ of language, thinking and problem solving• facilitating most of the integrative, coordinated behaviours• information processing within lobes, including perception, cognition and memory• integration of information among lobes in association areas• personality.Examiner comments:This question was not well answered. Because of the wording of the question, one mark was awarded for a statement explaining the purpose of the grooving, such as ʻthe function of the furrowing and grooving is to increase the surface area (or volume) – thereby increasing blood flow/oxygen or energy supply/number of neuronsʼ.


This lesson....

• Define the term 'Hemispheric specialisation'

• Explain the cognitive and behavioural functions of the right and left hemispheres of the cerebral cortex, non-verbal versus verbal and analytical functions


Hemispheric Specialisation

The idea that one hemisphere has specialised functions, or that it exerts greater control over a particular function. It is also known as hemispheric dominance and hemispheric lateralisation.

In reality both the left and right hemispheres are involved in nearly all functions.


The Left HemisphereThe left hemisphere specialises in verbal and analytical functions.

Verbal functions involve the use or recognition of words eg. reading, writing, speaking and understanding speech.

Analytical functions involve breaking down a task into its key parts and approaching it in a sequential , ‘step by step’ way, as is required when using logical reasoning to interpret and apply a formula to solve a maths problem.

•Wednesday, 25 January 2012

The right Hemisphere

The right hemisphere specialises in non-verbal functions that are not dependent on language skills eg. Spatial and visual thinking such as completing a jigsaw puzzle, reading a map, recognising faces and tunes; appreciating music and artworks; creativity; and fantasy eg daydreaming.


Summary


ACTIVITYIdentify the cerebral hemisphere (left or right) that specialises in the following cognitive and behavioural functions 1.Appreciating the beauty of a forest2.Judging whether a car will fit into a

parking bay.3.Listening to someone speak4. Kicking a football with your left foot


Research on hemispheric specialisation

There are three main approaches to conducting research on hemispheric specialisation.

•Studying people with brain damage

•Studying people after a split brain operation (see next lesson)

•Studying people with intact brains


lesson 6 hemispheric specialisation

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