Two “same-different” reaction time experiments, analogous in task demands made on the S, were designed to test laterality differences in. perception. Ten normal right-handed Ss performed a verbal task in which they decided whether or not two three-letter words belonged to the same conceptual class. Ten different Ss performed a spatial task in which they decided whether two 16-cell matrices with 3 blackened cells were identical. Reaction times were found to be sensitive to laterality differences in perception. Verbal stimuli were processed faster when presented in the right visual field, and thus projected directly to the left cerebral hemisphere; spatial stimuli were processed faster when presented in the left visual field, and thus projected directly to the right cerebral hemisphere. These results were analyzed in terms of implications regarding hemispheric asymmetries for processing of verbal and spatial material and the nature of interhemispheric transfer of information. Show
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Additional informationThis research was supported by NIMH Predoctoral Fellowship MH 49556-01 to the author and NIMH Grant NB-06501. This paper is based upon a dissertation submitted by the author to the Psychology Department of Stanford University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosphy, “Hemispheric Specialization for the Processing of Visually Presented Verbal and Spatial Stimuli: A Reaction Time Analysis.” 1971. I would like to thank my advisor. Dr. Charles R. Hamilton. for his helpful suggestions during all phases of this research. Thanks are also due to Sally P. Springer for being instrumental in first suggesting the possibilities of a reaction time analysis of hemispheric dominance (personal communication, 1969). Rights and permissionsReprints and Permissions About this articleCite this articleGross, M.M. Hemispheric specialization for processing of visually presented verbal and spatial stimuli. Perception & Psychophysics 12, 357–363 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03207222 What is the specialization of the two brain hemispheres?Hemispheric Specialization and Cognition
The right hemisphere excels at more holistic and coarse processing of information, whereas the left excels at more analytic and fine-grained processing of information.
How are the two main hemispheres of the brain different from each other?In general, the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for language and speech and is called the "dominant" hemisphere. The right hemisphere plays a large part in interpreting visual information and spatial processing.
What are the specializations of the right hemispheres of the brain?The right hemisphere is specialized for simultaneous processing of information, attending in a broad or diffuse way, forming and using spatial maps, and expressing intense emotions.
Are the two cerebral hemispheres functionally different?The two hemispheres of the human brain are not equivalent. Relative functional differences between the left and the right side of the brain, so-called functional hemispheric asymmetries, have been observed for several cognitive functions (Corballis, 2009).
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