Nash Psychology

To reduce the severity of his seizures, Joe had the bridge between his left and right cerebral hemisphers (the corpus callosum) severed. As a result, his left and right brains no longer communicate through that pathway. Here’s what happens as a result:

Click here to play the Split Brain Experiments Game

- What is a “split brain”?
- What happens if you surgically remove the connection called corpus calossum between the two brain hemispheres?
- What is the classic split brain experiment?
- What have we learned about the brain from split brain operated patients?
- To which of the hemispheres are the left and right vision fields connected?
- What are the characteristics of the right and left brain hemispheres?

The brain is made up of two halves, or hemispheres. These hemispheres are connected to each other through a system consisting of millions of nerve fibres. Therefore, each hemisphere is continually informed about what is happening in the other. What happens if the connection is broken? In this game you can follow a classic experiment with a patient whose corpus callosum connection has been surgically removed.

In this game you perform the classic split brain experiment used by Nobel Laureate Roger Sperry when he discovered differences between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. See how the patient reacts and try to figure out how come he is acting the way he does. In order to be able to proceed with your research you have to get more money, and when applying for more grants you have to report on your findings. If you manage to make correct conclusions you’ll be awarded with more grants and eventually your research will be published in a scientific journal.

Click here to read Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science columns.  The linked article is really interesting and there are some great clips to watch too.  Check out the Brain Gym article, you will see the link highlighted in the text.

The winning Limericks, from the competition to celebrate National Poetry Day are:

There once was a psychologist called Dwain,
Who wanted to study the brain,
But ‘cus his ego’s so big,
He never did twig,
That studying psychology would drive him insane!
by Mati

There once was a man called Phineas
His hair was very stramineous
He got a pole through his head
thanks to split brain, wasn’t dead
now they all call him Ignominius
by Tom & Jess

For Milgram’s obedience study,
He just didn’t have enough money,
No wonder they squealed,
The shocks were all real,
And he found it all rather funny!
by Tim