Studies of split-brain patients — individuals whose corpus callosum has been surgically severed to control severe epilepsy — have revealed that the two hemispheres of the brain can process information independently. When images are presented only to the right hemisphere, patients can select matching objects with their left hand but cannot verbally describe what they saw, since language production is typically controlled by the left hemisphere.
Which inference is most strongly supported by the passage?
- A
The two hemispheres process identical information at all times
- Bcheck_circle
Verbal report can fail to reflect information that the brain has nonetheless processed
- C
Surgery to sever the corpus callosum eliminates conscious experience
- D
Split-brain patients are unable to perform any tasks involving the right hemisphere
Explanation
Selecting correctly without verbalizing shows verbal report can fail to capture processed information, supporting A. B contradicts left-hand performance; C contradicts independence; D is unsupported.