1. Unit 3-B (E): Right-Left Differences in the Brain Mr. McCormick A.P. Psychology

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

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

4. The Brain’s Plasticity When is the brain “most plastic?” 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)? 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: Lateralization: The brain’s left and right hemispheres serve different physiological and cognitive functions The brain’s left and right hemispheres serve different physiological and cognitive functions Most apparent after brain damage Most apparent after brain damage Left hemisphere: dominant/major Left hemisphere: dominant/major Right hemisphere: subordinate/minor Right hemisphere: subordinate/minor

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

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

8. The Divided Brain Split 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) 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

12. The Divided Brain What is Split Brain? What is Split Brain? What are the causes of this condition? What are the causes of this condition? What are the effects 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: Left Brain: Logical Logical Sequential Sequential Rational Rational Analytical Analytical Objective Objective Looks at parts Looks at parts Right portion of body Right portion of body Academic Strengths: Academic Strengths: Language (Written/Spoken) Language (Written/Spoken) Science & Math Science & Math Right Brain: Right Brain: Random Random Intuitive Intuitive Holistic Holistic Synthesizing Synthesizing Subjective (Emotion) Subjective (Emotion) Looks at wholes Looks at wholes Left portion of body Left portion of body Academic Strengths: Academic Strengths: Art & Music Art & Music Creativity 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: Identify the brain hemisphere that is most associated with each of the following abilities, tasks, and characteristics: Problem-solving Problem-solving Artistic Design Artistic Design Imagination Imagination Construction Construction Emotion Emotion Practicality Practicality “Masculinity” “Masculinity” “Femininity” “Femininity”

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

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