AP Psychology Module 1.4c: The Brain: Damage Response and Brain Hemispheres

Vocabulary flashcards covering the response of the brain to damage (neuroplasticity and neurogenesis) and hemispheric specialization (lateralization, corpus callosum, and split-brain research) from AP Psychology Module 1.4c.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to reorganize itself by creating new connections or allowing other areas to take over certain functions after damage.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons.

Promoters of neurogenesis

Activities and conditions that may encourage new neuron growth, specifically exercise, sleep, and stimulating, nonstressful environments.

Lateralization

The specialized functions carried out by each of the two brain hemispheres.

Corpus callosum

The large band of neural fibers that connects the left and right brain hemispheres and allows them to communicate.

Split-brain

A condition that occurs when surgery separates the two hemispheres by cutting the connecting fibers, mainly the corpus callosum.

Left hemisphere

The brain hemisphere that usually controls speech, language, reading, writing, arithmetic reasoning, literal language interpretation, and the right side of the body.

Right hemisphere

The brain hemisphere that helps interpret meaning and context, recognize patterns, make inferences, understand subtle meanings, and controls the left side of the body.

HE • ART experiment

A famous split-brain study where patients verbally state 'ART' seen in the right visual field (left hemisphere) and point with their left hand to 'HE' seen in the left visual field (right hemisphere).

Left hemisphere interpreter

The tendency of the left hemisphere to invent explanations for actions initiated by the right hemisphere even when it does not know the actual cause.