Lateralization of Language

Lateralization of Language

Introduction

Lateralization refers to the phenomenon where a certain function is the responsibility of one side of the brain or body. Contralateral Arrangement refers to the fact that the left hemisphere receives information from and controls the left side of the body and vice-versa. Prior research concerning the lateralization of language has involved studying the effects of brain damaged people. Researchers such as Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke found that most people have language lateralized in the left hemisphere of the brain. Other research has been done comparing single and dual tasks for levels of interference. Interference is when the efficiency of the task is reduced because another task is being performed using the same side of the brain. The result of recent research has shown that if the two tasks are performed in the same hemisphere, the interference reduces the efficiency with which the tasks are performed. From this evidence it can be inferred that language is lateralized.

Aim of the Experiment:

To identify which hemisphere of the brain is primarily involved in processing language.

Hypothesis: Based on prior research, it is evident that the number of dots will be less when the participants are using their right hand and speaking because of interference. Prior research suggests that both right handed motor skills and language production are lateralized in the left hemisphere.

Method

Independent Variables: The two independent variables are handedness - whether it is left or right and language - whether with speech or silent. The four labels are right hand silent, right hand speech, left hand silent and left hand speech.

Dependent Variable: The number of taps.

Operational Definition of Dependent Variable: Motor task performance.

Participants: The participants involved in the study are first year psychology students who are both male and female and over the age of 17.

Materials: Pen, Response Sheet, Stopwatch.

Procedure: 1. Students are given a Response sheet with 8 boxes of equal size with two separated dots in each box

2. The stopwatch starts and the students use their pens to alternately tap the two dots in the first box with their right hand whiles repeating the phrase, "Double bubble gum, bubbles double" until the tutor says stop.

3. The students count the amount of taps and write down the number in the box.

4. The students repeat step 2 for each of the 7 boxes remaining in the following conditions: 1 x right hand speech

2 x right hand silent

2 x left hand speech

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