A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

In Sperry et al (1968), what was used to ensure that participants could only process images in one visual field?

1. A blindfold

2. A mirror system

3. A tachistoscope

4. A computerized system

The correct answer is: A tachistoscope

In Sperry et al. (1968), a tachistoscope was used to ensure that participants could only process images in one visual field. A tachistoscope is a device that briefly presents visual stimuli to the participant, allowing researchers to control the duration and the specific field of vision in which the images appear. By flashing images for a very short time, the researchers ensured that the participants could only see the image in the right or left visual field, depending on the configuration of the device. This method was crucial for isolating cognitive processing to one hemisphere of the brain at a time, enabling the exploration of lateralization of function between the two hemispheres. The use of a tachistoscope facilitated the study’s investigation into how each hemisphere of the brain processes visual information independently, leading to significant findings regarding lateralization and interhemispheric communication.