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Biopsychology Evaluations, Research Support :check:
Gazzaniga showed…
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Research Support :check:
Gazzaniga showed split brain perform better in some tasks
- Faster at identifying the odd one out in similar objects than control groups
- In normal brains, LH's better cognitive strategies are 'watered down' by the inferior RH
Supports Sperry's earlier findings that left and right brains are distinct
Generalisation Issues :red_cross:
Causal relationships are hard to establish
- Sperry ppt behaviour was compared to neurotypical control group. No ppts in the control group had epilepsy, confounding variable
- Differences observed between groups may have been due to epilepsy rather than split brain
Means some unique features of split brain ppts cognitive ability may be due to epilepsy
Real World Application :check:
Understanding plasticity processes contributed to neurorehabilitation
- Understanding axonal growth encourages new therapy to try.
- Constraint-Induced movement therapy used with stroke patients, they repeatedly practice using affected part while unaffected part is restrained
Shows research into functional recovery is useful for medical professionals making interventions
Cognitive Reserve :red_cross:
Level of education may influence recovery rates
- Schneider et al revealed the more people with brain injuries spent time in education indicated by 'cognitive reserve', greater the chance of DFR
- 40% those with disability free recovery had more than 16 yrs. 10% who had DFR had less than 12 yrs education
Implies people with brain damage with insufficient DFR are less likely to achieve full recovery
Improved Understanding :check:
Improved understanding of age related sleep changes
- Sleep scientists observed SWS reduces with age. Growth horomone produced in SWS, so reduced in older people
- Resulting sleep deficit may explain many old age issues, like reduced alertness. Medication may be used to increase SWS
Suggests knowledge of ultradian rhythms have practical value
Individual Differences :red_cross:
Significant variation between people
- Tucker et al found large differences between ppts' duration of sleep stages (mostly 3 and 4)
- Suggested the differences are likely biologically determined
Makes it difficult to describe 'normal sleep' in meaningful ways
Environmental Observations :red_cross:
Zeitgebers don't have the same effect in all environments
- People who live in places with little darkness in summer, and little light in winter differ from usual circumstances.
- People in the Arctic Circle have similar sleep patterns, despite 6 months in almost total darkness
Suggests sleep/wake cycles mostly controlled by pacemakers overriding environmental changes
Case Study Evidence :red_cross:
Evidence Challenges role of Exogenous Zeitgebers
- Miles et al recount the study of a blind man from birth, with a circadian rhythm of 24.9 hours
- Despite exposure to social cues, like meal times, the cycle couldn't be adjusted
Suggests social cues alone aren't effective in resetting rhythms
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