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Split-Brain: What We Know Now and Why This is Important for Understanding Consciousness
Edward H F de Haan1, Paul M Corballis2, Steven A Hillyard3
1Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. e.h.f.dehaan@uva.nl.
Neuropsychology Review
|May 14, 2020
Summary
Cutting the corpus callosum (split-brain) disrupts functional integration but not entirely, leaving questions about unified consciousness. Further research is needed to understand split-brain unity and consciousness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Recent research has renewed interest in the effects of corpus callosum transection (split-brain).
- Split-brain studies investigate interhemispheric communication and its role in consciousness and cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical findings on split-brain patients.
- To clarify differing interpretations of split-brain phenomena.
- To identify unresolved questions regarding consciousness and functional unity.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing empirical studies and literature on split-brain patients.
- Analysis of functional integration and unity across various cognitive processes.
- Examination of first-person perspectives in split-brain individuals.
Main Results:
- Callosotomy causes widespread functional integration breakdown (e.g., perception, attention).
- Certain processes, like action control, may remain unified post-callosotomy.
- Disagreement persists regarding the mechanisms underlying remaining functional unity.
Conclusions:
- Evidence is currently insufficient to definitively state whether split-brain patients have unified or divided consciousness.
- Future research should focus on addressing this evidentiary gap.
- Intermediate conceptualizations of consciousness may be necessary, moving beyond a simple yes/no dichotomy.
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