U2 L6 - Brain Hemispheres-1

BRAIN HEMISPHERES

Overview

• The human brain is divided into two distinct sections or hemispheres.

• Each hemisphere manages specific aspects of body and behavior.

LEFT HEMISPHERE

• Controls the right side of the body.

• Responsible for complex movements.

• Dominant in 95% of right-handers and 62% of left-handers for:

  • Speech function

  • Written language skills.

RIGHT HEMISPHERE

• Controls the left side of the body.

• Specializes in:

  • Visual-spatial perception.

  • Interpreting nonverbal behavior.

FUNCTIONS OF BRAIN HEMISPHERES

Lateralization of Brain Functioning

• Left Hemisphere Controls:

  • Right hand

  • Logical thinking

  • Language ability

  • Writing

  • Science and math work

• Right Hemisphere Controls:

  • Left hand

  • Musical and artistic ability

  • Perception of space

  • Imagination and fantasizing

• Corpus Callosum:

  • Connects both hemispheres and facilitates communication.

RIGHT HEMISPHERE'S ROLE IN EMOTION

• Expressions of emotion through:

  • Tone of voice

  • Facial expressions.

• Usually conveys stronger emotion on the left side of the face.

• Right hemisphere damage results in facial expressions and voice inflections appearing strangely blank or robotic.

SPLIT BRAIN

• Split-Brain Operation:

  • Involves cutting the corpus callosum.

  • Separates the cerebral hemispheres, reducing severity and frequency of grand mal seizures.

• Roger Sperry's 1981 Nobel Prize Research:

  • Right hemisphere can recognize and remember what it sees but cannot verbalize it.