Question

A split-brain patient sees a picture flashed to the right side of a computer screen. If the picture is a face made out of fruit, what will he report seeing?

A. A face made out of fruit
B. Nothing
C. A random image
D. A face made out of vegetables

Answer 1

A split-brain patient would report seeing a face made out of fruit when the picture is flashed to the right side of a computer screen, due to the left hemisphere's ability to process visual information and articulate language.

Step-by-step explanation:

A split-brain patient who sees a picture flashed to the right side of a computer screen would report seeing a face made out of fruit. This is because visual information on the right side of the visual field is processed by the left hemisphere of the brain, which is generally responsible for language and verbal processing. After the corpus callosum is cut to treat conditions such as intractable epilepsy, each hemisphere of the brain processes information independently. The left hemisphere can articulate verbal descriptions of images presented to the right visual field, as it typically contains the speech center.

In the case of split-brain patients, the right hemisphere will process information it receives from the left visual field but lacks the capability to produce a verbal report because the speech center is usually located in the left hemisphere. Thus, when a split-brain patient sees something in the left visual field, they may not be able to verbally identify it or may claim not to have seen it, despite being able to recognize or interact with it using the left hand.