A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which observation was made regarding participants when materials were presented only to the left visual field (LVF)?

1. They showed normal verbal responses

2. They reported seeing nothing or only flashes of light

3. They were able to write detailed descriptions

4. They accurately identified objects presented to the LVF

The correct answer is: They reported seeing nothing or only flashes of light

When materials are presented only to the left visual field (LVF), participants typically report experiencing difficulties with verbal responses due to the fact that visual information presented to the LVF is initially processed by the right hemisphere of the brain. Since the right hemisphere is less specialized for language compared to the left hemisphere, this can lead to a phenomenon where participants report seeing little to nothing or only brief flashes of light. This pattern aligns with findings that indicate the limited ability of the right hemisphere to articulate what it has perceived, supporting the notion of hemispheric lateralization in processing visual information. The other options imply abilities or responses that are more associated with verbal communication and detailed cognitive processes that would typically engage the left hemisphere, indicating the distinction in processing capabilities between the two hemispheres.