Karen is right-handed. A biopsychologist administers a PET scan of Karen's brain while Karen listens to one of her favorite pieces of music, Beethoven's Third Symphony. Which area of Karen's brain is likely to show the greatest activity on the PET scan?
A) Broca's area
B) Wernicke's area
C) the cerebellum
D) the right hemisphere

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Karen's right hemisphere is likely to show the greatest activity on the PET scan because listening to music involves processing of auditory information, emotion, and creativity, which are predominantly right-hemisphere functions. As Karen is right-handed, the left hemisphere is likely to be dominant for language functions such as those supported by Broca's and Wernicke's areas. The cerebellum is involved in coordination of movement and balance, and is not directly related to music perception.

Karen Is Right-Handed