PSYB65H3 Chapter 11: Chapter 11
Document Summary
Anatomical asymmetry in the human brain: laterality: the idea that the two cerebral hemispheres have separate functions, four variables complicate the research on laterality, laterality is relative, not absolute. Both hemispheres play a role in nearly every behaviour: cerebral site is at least as important in understanding brain function as cerebral side. The frontal lobes are asymmetrical, but their functions are more similar to each other than they are to those of the posterior cortex on the same side: laterality is affected by environmental and genetic factors. For example, the cerebral organization of some left-handers and females appear less asymmetrical than that of right- handers and males: laterality is exhibited by a range of animals. This complements an apparent functional symmetry in the thalamus; the left thalamus dominant for language function: 4) the slope of the lateral ssure is gentler on the left hemisphere than on the right.
