The Z lens is a specialized apparatus designed to project visual stimuli to a single hemisphere of the brain.
Overview
The Z lens was developed by Roger Sperry and his colleagues in 1955. Its primary function is to present visual information to either the left or right hemisphere of the brain independently, instead of both simultaneously. This allowed researchers to study the specific functions of each hemisphere.
Functionality
- The Z lens allows the researcher to precisely control which part of the brain receives visual input.
- By directing visual stimuli to one hemisphere, researchers could study hemispheric specialization, like language processing in the left hemisphere.
- The Z lens helps understand how each hemisphere contributes to perception, cognition, and behavior.
Impact
The Z lens played a key role in early research on brain lateralization. It provided a tool to explore how the two hemispheres of the brain work independently and together. The work with the Z lens was groundbreaking and has had a lasting effect on the field of neuroscience.
