Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL

A critical appraisal on Sperrys (1968) research on Hemisphere deconnection and unity in

conscious awareness and Alizi Alias research on Biological psychology from an Islamic
perspective

Nurdayana Mustafa (113873)

Farah Nabilah Abdul Rahman (110864)
Nurfarhana Ramlee (113896)
Nadirah Karim (115272)
Nadia Omar (114605)
Basic Psychology (Section 803)
Miss Maisarah Mohd. Taib
Centre for Foundation Studies
International Islamic University Malaysia
Semester 3, 2011/2012

Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL

1
Introduction

The article Hemisphere Deconnection and Unity In conscious Awareness by R. W. Sperry

suggests that the each hemisphere seems to have its own separate chain of memories that are
rendered inaccessible to the recall processes of the other. Employing the Islamic scholar by Ibn
Al Qayyim idea that the mind (aql) is located in the heart (qalb) but its branch and fruit is
located at the brain. Therefore it is show that aql (spiritual entity) exists and has an influence on
our behavior and mental processes (without forgetting that it is Allah who decides everything).
Theoretical issues
In this study, Sperry worked on an experiment to determine the specialized function of left and
right hemisphere of the brain called functional lateralization. Gross highlighted the issue of
applying the concept of functional lateralization generally to all considering that the experiment
was being conducted only to split-brain patients who have underwent commissurotomy before.
One major theory used by Gross is the theory suggested by Beaumont which states the existence
of individual differences. It is mentioned in the Al-Quran chapter 7, verse 11 that And We have
certainly created you, [O Mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels,
"Prostrate to Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated.
As suggested by the verse, every human has a unique human biological make-up. Islam accepts
the fact that biological factors do influence mental processes and human behaviour but not
absolute (Alias, 2008). Consequently, human behaviour and mental processes are influenced by
biological and environmental factors but nevertheless, soul remains the major factor that
determines them.

Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL

Methodological issues
This particular article discusses about the patients and factors that alter the outcome. The severity
of the illness differs from one patient to another. As Gross mentioned, Because they were not
randomly assigned to a 'commissurotomy' condition, and because there was no 'noncommissurotomy' condition, this cannot be considered a true experiment. This shows that this
experiment does not own a control variable, making it difficult to conclude. This is also
supported by the function for both hemispheres because the right hemisphere is more discussed
about compared to the left. The reason for this is that the right hemisphere is said to be more
active in terms of visuals and understanding certain things. Despite that, the left hemisphere is
more active in terms of verbal. Another factor is the age. As stated by Toates cited by Gross,
There might be reorganization of processing systems following surgery (particularly if the
patient is young.). Therefore, this shows that both hemispheres do not act in a symmetrical way;
rather it is complementary to each other.
Ethical issues
No major ethical issues were raised by this study so far. However, Toates (2001) argues that
behaviour is normally the product of an interaction between hemispheres (Sperry, 1974) - the
performance of one in isolation might be deceptive regarding its role prior to surgery when it
interacts with the opposite hemisphere. There might be reorganization of processing systems
following surgery (particularly if the patient is young), so that the performance of a hemisphere
is changed (Toates, 2001). In other words, theory-wise or the theoretical approaches such as
human beings having two minds in one body misuse biology to propagate unethical messages
as warned by Badri (2003). What Sperry failed to conduct is the entity of spirit (ruh) which
Muslim psychologists believe is the main factor that governs the brain resulting to behaviors and

Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL

mental processes. Sperry failed to conduct a research or perhaps denied altogether the concept of
Islam whereby the divine Will of Allah (God) is the power why despite the brain being split,
the information being processed can still communicate between the two hemispheres.
Evaluations of findings interpretations
Sperry rejects the role of soul in influencing cognitive processes and behaviours. Sperry (as cited
in Gross) noted that when the brain is bisected, we see two separate selves (essentially a
divided organism with two mental units, each with its own memories and its own will)
competing for control over the organism. Through this statement we clearly understand that
Sperry deems the mind governs all the activities of the body. He clearly eliminated the role of
any other form of consciousness in governing ones actions and cognitive behaviour. The phrase
competing for control over the organism mirrors Sperrys speculation that the organism itself is
in full control of the body, mind and behaviour and completely rejects the presence of other
factors that can contribute to the cognitive processes in ones mind and the catalyst behind ones
actions.
His two minds theory was thoroughly based only split brain patients. Gross pointed out the
issue of applying this theory generally on all which is what Sperry failed to imply since the
commisurotomy was performed only on patients suffering severe epilepsy.
In regards to the issue of eliminating the role of soul, in the Quran it is mentioned in chapter 74
verse 38 that Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its deeds. The influence of soul on physical
behaviour and cognitive processes is evident in this verse. When the spirit enters the lifeless
body, it governs the body and interacts with various biological and environmental variables to
produce behaviours and mental processes (Alias, 2008). The usage of the word soul in the verse

Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL

clearly reflects that the soul plays the big role in an individuals mental processes instead of just
the mind as suggested by Sperry. Islam does not reject the influence of biological make up in
governing behaviours and mental processes. Instead it creates a balanced perspective of the issue
which befits the nature or fitrah of human being.
Conclusion
The study has proven that it lacks the capability to be generalised. Despite that, Sperry made a
big contribution on the effects of commisurotomy. His studies lead to the reduction of sufferings
in the patients of status epilipticus. The aim of the study is to prove that after the bisection of the
brain there will be existence of two minds in one body and each mind struggle to take control of
the organism. It strengthens the double brain theory and believes that there are two separate
selves in the patients who underwent commisurotomy. However, the study rejects the connection
of body and spirit and also the role of aql, nafs and kalb in governing the behaviour and mental
processes. The new notion founded by Ibn Qayyim is that the aql is situated in the kalb but its
branch. Based on our fitrah, we conclude that the mind and behaviour is governed by the soul
and level of iman but we also integrate the role of biological and environmental variables in
influencing the mental processes and behaviours.
-

Sperrys findings lead to the reduction of the effects of severe epilepsy (status

epilepticus)
Studied in details of the effects of commisurotomy
Dual nature
Role of Aql, Nafs, and Kalb
Role of the soul and biological and environmental variables

References