Psychology - Topic 4 studies

What was the main focus of Damasio et al.'s (1994) study on Phineas Gage?

• The effects of split-brain surgery

• The effects of brain damage on personality and behaviour

• The development of new brain imaging techniques

• The role of neurotransmitters in mood regulation

Answer explanation

Damasio et al.'s (1994) study focused on Phineas Gage to explore how brain damage affects personality and behavior, highlighting the link between specific brain areas and emotional regulation.

Which year did Sperry conduct his study on hemisphere deconnection?

• 1965

• 1968

• 1970

• 1972

Answer explanation

Sperry conducted his study on hemisphere deconnection in 1968, which is significant in understanding the functions of the brain's hemispheres. This makes 1968 the correct answer among the options provided.

What was the primary method used by Sperry in his 1968 study?

• Brain imaging

• Case study

• Split-brain surgery

• Neurotransmitter analysis

Answer explanation

In his 1968 study, Sperry primarily used split-brain surgery to investigate the functions of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, making this the correct answer.

What was the significant finding from Damasio et al.'s study on Phineas Gage?

• Brain damage can alter personality

• The brain's hemispheres function independently

• Neurotransmitters are crucial for mood regulation

• Brain imaging can detect all types of brain damage

Answer explanation

Damasio et al.'s study on Phineas Gage revealed that damage to specific brain areas can lead to significant changes in personality, highlighting the connection between brain function and emotional behavior.

What was the main conclusion of Sperry's 1968 study?

• The brain's hemispheres have independent functions

• Brain damage has no effect on personality

• Neurotransmitters are the sole cause of consciousness

• Brain imaging is the best method for studying the brain

Answer explanation

Sperry's 1968 study demonstrated that the brain's hemispheres operate independently, each specializing in different functions. This finding was pivotal in understanding lateralization of brain function.

In Damasio et al.'s study, what was used to investigate Phineas Gage's brain damage?

• MRI scans

• Gage's skull

• EEG recordings

• Neurotransmitter levels

Answer explanation

In Damasio et al.'s study, Gage's skull was used to investigate his brain damage, providing insights into the effects of the injury on his personality and behavior, making it the correct choice.

What type of surgery did Sperry's study focus on?

• Frontal lobotomy

• Hemisphere deconnection

• Temporal lobectomy

• Deep brain stimulation

Answer explanation

Sperry's study focused on hemisphere deconnection, a surgical procedure that involves severing the corpus callosum to reduce communication between the brain's hemispheres, primarily used to treat severe epilepsy.

Which part of the brain was primarily affected in Phineas Gage's accident?

• Temporal lobe

• Occipital lobe

• Frontal lobe

• Parietal lobe

Answer explanation

Phineas Gage's accident primarily affected the frontal lobe, which is responsible for personality and decision-making. This injury led to significant changes in his behavior, highlighting the lobe's role in these functions.

What was a key behavioural change observed in Phineas Gage after his accident?

• Improved memory

• Increased aggression

• Enhanced creativity

• Better motor skills

Answer explanation

After his accident, Phineas Gage exhibited increased aggression, which was a significant change in his personality. This behavior was linked to damage in the frontal lobes, affecting his impulse control and social interactions.

What did Sperry's study reveal about the left hemisphere of the brain?

• It is responsible for spatial awareness

• It controls language and analytical tasks

• It regulates emotions

• It processes visual information

Answer explanation

Sperry's study showed that the left hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for language and analytical tasks, distinguishing it from the right hemisphere, which is more involved in spatial awareness and emotions.