Mr. McCormick
A.P. Psychology

Do-Now
(Discussion)
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What is it mean to be a “right-brain” vs. “left-brain” dominant person?
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What does this suggest about the
workings of the brain ?

The Brain’s Plasticity
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Plasticity:
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The brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience
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Neurogenesis:
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The formation of new neurons

The Brain’s Plasticity
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When is the brain “most plastic?”
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What are some ways that the brain’s plasticity can benefit people with limited senses (e.g. blind or deaf people)?

The Divided Brain
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Lateralization:
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The brain’s left and right hemispheres serve different physiological and cognitive functions
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Most apparent after brain damage
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Left hemisphere: dominant/major
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Right hemisphere: subordinate/minor

The Divided Brain
(90%) of people are

The Divided Brain
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Corpus Callosum:
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The large band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres and carrying messages between them

The Divided Brain
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Split Brain:
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A condition resulting from surgery that isolates the brain’s two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callosum)

Visual Perception of the Split Brain

Testing the Divided Brain

Testing the Divided Brain

The Divided Brain
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What are the causes of this condition?
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What are the effects of this condition?

Which One is Happier?

Right-Left Differences in the Intact Brain
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Left Brain:
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Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts
Right portion of body
Academic Strengths:
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Language (Written/Spoken)
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Science & Math
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Right Brain:
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Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective (Emotion)
Looks at wholes
Left portion of body
Academic Strengths:
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Art & Music
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Creativity

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Right-Left Differences in the Intact Brain
Identify the brain hemisphere that is most associated with each of the following abilities, tasks, and characteristics:
Problem-solving
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Artistic Design
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Imagination
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Construction
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Emotion
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Practicality
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“Masculinity”
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“Femininity”

Review
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What is plasticity of the brain?
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When is the brain typically “most plastic?”
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What is a split brain patient?
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What are the causes of this condition?
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What are the effects of this condition?
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Differentiate between the abilities and characteristics of the brain’s left and right hemispheres .

Homework
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Unit 3-B Quiz: “The Brain”
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Chapter 4 Outline: “Nature, Nurture, and
Human Diversity”
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Unit 3 Project: “3-D Brain Model”