Category Archives: Biological Psychology

Sperry (1968) - Split Brain Study Evaluation

Sperry (1968) – Split Brain Study

A Level Psychology H567, AS Psychology H167, Biological Psychology, Biological Psychology, , ,

Sperry, R. W. (1968). Hemisphere deconnection and unity in conscious awareness. American Psychologist, 23(10), 723.

This is the classic biological psychology study which you will look at for your H167 AS OCR Psychology exam. You will also need this study for your OCR H567 A Level Psychology core studies exam.

Background

The theme of the biological psychology studies in the H167  exam is regions of the brain. This study by Sperry (1968) has the tagline by OCR: Split-brain Study. 

What does it mean to have a ‘split-brain’?

The brain is composed of two cerebral hemispheres: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. These hemispheres are connected in the brain by the corpus callosum, and other smaller connections, but we need not worry about them here. Having a ‘split-brain’ simply means that the corpus callosum has been severed.

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Casey et al., (2011) Behavioural and Neural Correlates of Delay of Gratification

A Level Psychology H567, AS Psychology H167, Biological Psychology, Biological Psychology, , ,

Casey, B. J., Somerville, L. H., Gotlib, I. H., Ayduk, O., Franklin, N. T., Askren, M. K., … & Glover, G. (2011). Behavioral and neural correlates of delay of gratification 40 years later. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(36), 14998-15003.

This is the contemporary biological psychology study which you will look at for your H167 AS OCR Psychology exam. You will also need this study for your OCR H567 A Level Psychology core studies exam.

Background

The theme of the biological psychology studies in the H167  exam is regions of the brain. This study by Casey et al., (2011) focuses on the behavioural and neural correlates of delay of gratification. 

Sounds like a mouthful?

Don’t worry, it’s easier than you’d imagine.

What are the behavioural and neural correlates of delay of gratification?

Let’s cover the first part. Behavioural and neural. Behavioural simply refers to any act or response to a stimulus. Neural simply refers to brain activity.

Continue reading Casey et al., (2011) Behavioural and Neural Correlates of Delay of Gratification →