Describe Sperry’s split-brain preparation. What discoveries about the learning process did Sperry make using this preparation? Why was the preparation used on humans? What was learned about hemispheric specificity by studying humans with split brains?
In the 19th century, Roger Sperry gave explanation to functional specialization of the cerebral hemisphere, and how the two parts of the cerebral cortex works.
Split-brain describes the injury in corpus callosum connecting the two hemispheres of the brain to some degree. The symptoms include disruption of connection between the hemispheres of the brain. If the right and left brain are separated, each hemisphere is supposed to exercise their individual functions, which include self perception, concepts, and impulses. This results in having two "working brains" in one body, causing a split personality.
Sperry studied that both right and left brain has different functions and analyze different things. Left brain is more active for learning and practical knowledge, right brain promotes creativity. He studied cases, where the brain was injured to an extent that both brain parts got separated and function individually. Both brains worked individually. There was a conflict between the decisions making of the person. He possessed two different personalities. One brain programmed something, which was contradicted by the other.
The studies performed on humans showed that people with split brains possessed two individualities in them. One important observation was that right side could accurately perceive but could not verbalize. Opposite was the case with left side. There is some trouble with vision, but the sense of touch is improved. Right side was found to be more superior to the left side or hemisphere in spatial things, but left hemisphere was stronger in object based activities.