Hemispheres as independent resource system: Limited-capacity processing and cerebral specialization.

Abstract

In this article, we develop as framework for understanding how cerebral specialization of function contributes to the flexibility of human information processing. We propose that the left and right hemispheres together form a system of two mutually inaccessible and finite pools of resources. Further, we propose that these two types of resources cannot be made available in different amounts at any given time. This framework is essentially a special case of a multiple-resources model of limited-capacity information processing. It accounts for a broad range of data from experiments involving perceptual and cognitive information processing, control of motor performance, and changes in electrical activity of the brain. It also provides insights into why the cerebral specialization literature has been plagued with problems that have made theorizing so difficult. In addition, the theory provides insights into mechanisms that might be responsible for patterns of task interference that are not easily handled by an information-processing model in which processes compete for supplies from a single pool of undifferentiated resources. Thus, the framework we are proposing has important theoretical and methodological implications for researchers in both divided attention and cerebral specialization.

Some observations on the Poggendorff and Müller-Lyer tactual illusions

“…According to the most current formulation, the left hemisphere may use analytic, serial, or sequential strategies, while the right uses global or parallel strategies (Simion & Bagnara, 1982); other studies point out the differences in coding information (Posner, 1978;Umilta, 1982). Friedman and Campbell-Polson (1981) proposed a model of the hemispheres as two independent and limited pools of resources, or subprocessors (Allen, 1983), which could be used in different ways. Whatever mechanism underlies the experimental data, however, there is general agreement that the left hemisphere is verbal, while the right is visuospatial.…”

Multiple Resources and Brain Laterality

“…The left brain is more analytical and superior for the interpretation and production of language, while the right brain is more intuitive and is superior for the perception of space and form. Friedman and Polson (1981) have proposed a model of information processing based on these lateralized functions in brain. The model, which may be viewed as a special case of the multiple pools of resources model proposed by Navon and Gopher (1979), is based on the 0notion that each he-misphere has a unique, independent and mutually inaccessible pool of resources.…”

“…:L al., 1980), (d) the wide range of individual performance reported for lateralized tasks would warrant use of within-subject designs (Friedman & Polson, 1981).…”

“…spatial and verbal reaction Similar to the reaction time analyses, the interaction between gender and task reflects the tendency for women to perform better on the verbal task and less well on the spatial task than did the men. This may have caused the subjects to apply useable resources from both hemispheres on the spatial task, reducing the left-hemisphere resources available for processing the verbal task, thereby, decreasing the lateral input advantage (Friedman & Polson, 1981). This may be particularly relevant for women who have rellatiely poor spatial skills (Hartlage, 1970) and because they tend to use a verbal strategy for processing visuo-spatial tasks (Hannay, 1976).…”

The Effect of Background Music on the Visual Categorization of Printed Words in Normal Younger and Older Adults

“…The degree to which these cognitive demands interfere with semantic categorization is believed to depend on the degree of overlap between the mechanisms for semantic categorization and those utilized by the distracting speech or music (Allport, Antonis, & Reynolds, 1972;Friedman & Polson, 1981;Martin, Wogalter, & Forlano, 1988;Navon & Gopher, 1979). An integrated form of linguistic and musical information is received by the ears when words are sung.…”