Final answer:
An individual with cortical damage showing neglect of the left side likely has a lesion in the right hemisphere of the brain. This damage may impact spatial awareness, attention, and nonverbal cognitive processes, leading to unilateral neglect. It also affects language use and emotional expression in speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
An individual with cortical damage displaying neglect of the left side of the body is likely to have a lesion in the right hemisphere of the brain. This condition is often associated with damage to areas involved in spatial awareness and attention, which are typically located in the right hemisphere for most individuals. The right hemisphere is known for processing nonverbal and spatial aspects of cognition which, when damaged, can result in unilateral neglect, a condition in which an individual is unaware or not attentive to objects or the body on the side opposite the lesion. For instance, neglect can manifest as a failure to acknowledge the left arm or leg, or even failing to eat food from the left side of a plate. Damage to the right side of the brain can also impact the use of language, such as understanding figurative speech, and contribute to a 'flat affect' in speech due to the loss of emotional expression. Such damage can severely affect an individual's daily functioning and requires careful assessment and rehabilitation.