A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What does the visual and verbal task in Sperry et al (1968) demonstrate about visual processing?

1. It shows individuals can verbally express what they see

2. It reveals the differences in processing between visual fields

3. It indicates a complete lack of visual recognition

4. It is unrelated to brain lateralization

The correct answer is: It reveals the differences in processing between visual fields

The correct answer illustrates that the visual and verbal task used in Sperry et al. (1968) demonstrates the differences in visual processing between the two hemispheres of the brain. This study, which focused on patients with split-brain condition, showcased how information presented to one visual field was processed by a specific hemisphere. For instance, stimuli shown to the right visual field could be verbally reported because they were processed by the left hemisphere, which is usually responsible for language processing. Conversely, stimuli shown to the left visual field could not be verbally articulated as they were processed by the right hemisphere, which typically does not handle verbal communication. This distinction supports the idea of lateralization of brain function, illuminating how each hemisphere processes information differently. The other options do not accurately encapsulate the key findings of the study, which centers on the functional specialization of the brain's hemispheres in processing visual information.