Hemispheric specialisation

first five:

learning intention:

You will be able to describe the different functions of the left and right hemispheres

Success Criteria:

I can define ‘hemispheric specialisation’
I can describe the functions of the left hemisphere
I can describe the function of the right hemisphere

prior knowledge:

Complete the Left-brain vs Right brain quiz to find out which side is your most dominant. Record your percentage and a word that describes you best.

new knowledge:

The human brain consists of two hemispheres, separated by the longitudinal fissure. Both hemispheres are connected in the centre of the brain by a band of fibres known as the corpus callosum, which transfers information between the two halves.

Hemispheric Specialisation refers to the idea that each hemisphere has specialised functions or has more dominance and control over particular functions. Some examples include:

Left Hemisphere

Right Hemisphere

split-brain study

Research by 'Gazzaniga and Sperry' investigated the hemispherical specialisation.

Patients who suffered severe epileptic seizures underwent surgery where the Corpus Callosum inside their brain was severed.

Results showed that when the left and right brain cannot communicate that the left brain is responsible for language and the right brain was responsible for facial recognition.

The left hemisphere focuses on details whilst the right hemisphere is more holistic.

The right hemisphere is specialised in detecting upright faces and discriminating among similar faces while the left hemisphere is specialised in recognising ones own face.