1. Chapter 2 I: Right-Left Differences in the Brain
A.P. Psychology

2. Do-Now (Discussion)
What is it mean to be a “right-brain” vs. “left-brain” dominant person?
What does this suggest about the workings of the brain?

3. The Brain’s Plasticity
The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
Neurogenesis:
The formation of new neurons

4. The Brain’s Plasticity
When is the brain “most plastic?”
What are some ways that the brain’s plasticity can benefit people with limited senses (e.g. blind or deaf people)?

5. The Divided Brain Lateralization:
The brain’s left and right hemispheres serve different physiological and cognitive functions
Most apparent after brain damage
Left hemisphere: dominant/major
Right hemisphere: subordinate/minor

6. Why do you think a higher percentage (90%) of people are right-handed?
The Divided Brain
Why do you think a higher percentage (90%) of people are right-handed?

7. The Divided Brain Corpus Callosum:
The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

8. The Divided Brain Split Brain:
A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum)

9. Visual Perception of the Split Brain

10. Testing the Divided Brain

11. Testing the Divided Brain

12. What is Split Brain? The Divided Brain
What are the causes of this condition?
What are the effects of this condition?

13. Which One is Happier?

14. Right-Left Differences in the Intact Brain
Left Brain:
Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts
Right portion of body
Academic Strengths:
Language (Written/Spoken)
Science & Math
Right Brain:
Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective (Emotion)
Looks at wholes
Left portion of body
Academic Strengths:
Art & Music
Creativity

15. Right-Left Differences in the Intact Brain
Identify the brain hemisphere that is most associated with each of the following abilities, tasks, and characteristics:
Problem-solving
Artistic Design
Imagination
Construction
Emotion
Practicality
“Masculinity”
“Femininity”

16. Review What is plasticity of the brain? What is a split brain patient?
When is the brain typically “most plastic?”
What is a split brain patient?
What are the causes of this condition?
What are the effects of this condition?
Differentiate between the abilities and characteristics of the brain’s left and right hemispheres.

17. Homework Unit 3-B Quiz: “The Brain”
Chapter 4 Outline: “Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity”
Unit 3 Project: “3-D Brain Model”