Question

In: Psychology

Describe how an understanding of both a normally functioning brain and a split brain enables us...

Describe how an understanding of both a normally functioning brain and a split brain enables us to better appreciate the fact that most information processing takes place out of conscious awareness.

Solutions

Expert Solution

Consciousness is like gathering information within the awareness of us, and our brain is in constant gathering of information of which the majority falls outside our consciousness. Even when we are asleep our brain is conscious and alert, and is functioning to its best. This is better understood through the behaviors of individuals who have undergone cerebral commissurotomy or the "split brain" procedures. Due to this surgical procedure the corpus callosum that joins the two hemispheres is cut that helps the brain to function as one whole. The result is that both the hemispheres of the brain function independently, and without the knowledge of each other, as each hemisphere of the brain has their respective field of tasks and control. When the connection between the two hemispheres is altered it takes off the automatization of the brain as a single unit, and enables us to understand how our brain functions, and how most of the information processing occurs without the interference of consciousness or our awareness.


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