Question 1

Normally, a split-brain patient should be able to name an object flashed to the left visual field.

Accepted Answer

In split-brain patients, the left visual field is processed by the right hemisphere of the brain, which is typically not able to produce language. Therefore, a split-brain patient may not be able to name an object flashed to the left visual field. They may, however, be able to point to the object or use their left hand to write a description of it.

Question 2

After surgery, split-brain patients have impaired intellect and motivation.

Accepted Answer

While split-brain patients may experience changes in perception and behavior, there is not necessarily a consistent impairment in intellect and motivation. Some studies suggest that certain cognitive functions, such as language and memory, may be affected, but other functions may remain intact. Additionally, individual factors such as age and overall health may also impact the degree and nature of any cognitive changes following the surgery.

Question 3

Language studies with bonobos suggest that they can understand more than they can produce.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that bonobos can understand and comprehend language to a certain extent, but they have limitations in their ability to produce language. This has been observed in studies where bonobos can match a spoken word to its corresponding image, but are unable to verbally communicate using language in the same way humans can.

Question 4

Recognition of happy or sad faces will occur most rapidly if presented to the right hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the right hemisphere of the brain is more adept at recognizing emotional expressions, particularly those that convey sadness or happiness. This is likely due to the fact that the right hemisphere is more closely associated with processing emotions and social cues, while the left hemisphere is more focused on logical and analytical thinking.

Question 5

The left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex is connected to skin receptors and muscles mainly on the right side of the body.

Accepted Answer

This is known as contralateral control, where the left hemisphere of the brain controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body.

Question 6

Most people use only one hemisphere for most tasks.

Accepted Answer

It is a common myth that people only use one hemisphere of their brain for most tasks. In reality, the brain works as a whole and both hemispheres are active during most activities. While certain functions may be more dominant in one hemisphere, both sides are involved in almost every task.

Question 7

The left hemisphere appears to be specialized for language before language develops.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the left hemisphere of the brain in infants and young children is already specialized for language processing before they have actually acquired language skills.

Question 8

The left and right hemispheres exchange information through a set of axons called the corpus callosum.

Accepted Answer

The corpus callosum is a structure of axons that connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows for communication between them. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 9

Trunk and facial muscles are controlled by both hemispheres of the brain.

Accepted Answer

Trunk and facial muscles are innervated by nerves that originate from both sides of the brain. Motor commands for these muscles arise from both the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Question 10

The planum temporale is usually larger in the right hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

The planum temporale is typically larger in the left hemisphere, which is associated with language processing in most people.

Question 11

Most left-handers have left-hemisphere dominance for speech.

Accepted Answer

It is true that most left-handers have left-hemisphere dominance for speech, although there are some exceptions.

Question 12

People born without a corpus callosum can perform many tasks in which split-brain patients fail.

Accepted Answer

People born without a corpus callosum have brains that are wired differently, and they often show a capacity for compensating for the lack of connection between the left and right hemispheres. In many cases, these individuals can perform tasks that split-brain patients would struggle with, such as transferring information between the two sides of the brain.

Question 13

Observations of Williams syndrome indicate that language is not simply a by-product of overall intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder that involves a unique cognitive profile, including strong language abilities despite lower overall IQ scores. This suggests that language skills are not solely dependent on overall intelligence.

Question 14

The critical period for learning a second language is shorter than for learning a first language.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The critical period for learning a second...

Question 15

For more than 95% of right-handed people, the left hemisphere is strongly dominant for speech.

Accepted Answer

This is true, as studies have shown that the left hemisphere is dominant for language processing in the majority of right-handed individuals.

Question 16

In most people, the right hemisphere is dominant for speech.

Accepted Answer

In most people, the left hemisphere is dominant for speech.

Question 17

One of the main problems in determining if nonhuman species have language is being able to accurately define what language is.

Accepted Answer

There is no universally agreed upon definition of language, which makes it difficult to determine if nonhuman species have language. This is a debated topic among linguists and animal behaviorists.

Question 18

The right hemisphere is dominant for recognizing both pleasant and unpleasant emotions in others.

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the right hemisphere of the brain plays a dominant role in recognizing emotions in others, both positive and negative, including pleasant and unpleasant emotions.

Question 19

Information from the left half of the visual field is processed in the right hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The visual pathways from each eye cross over at the optic chiasm, so that information from the left half of each retina projects to the right hemisphere of the brain, while information from the right half of each retina projects to the left hemisphere of the brain. Therefore, information from the left visual field is processed by the right hemisphere of the brain.

Question 20

It is possible for language to be impaired without an associated impairment of intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Language and intelligence are separate cognitive processes that can be impaired independently of each other. For example, an individual with specific language impairment may have difficulty with grammar, syntax, or word retrieval, but their intelligence may be normal or even above-average. Similarly, an individual with intellectual disability may have a reduced level of intelligence but have typical language abilities.

Quiz 14: Cognitive Functions