BRAIN LATERALITY AND INFORMATION PROCESSING REGARDING HUMAN SEXUALITY (NURSING, PERCEPTION, LEARNING).
Contributors: University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Published: 1983
Number of pages: 91
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Previous studies in information processing and laterality have not included information specific to human sexuality. The study exposed subjects to both a sexual and nonsexual videotape in two different formats. The purpose of the study was to determine if the mode of presentation influenced brain laterality in the processing of information regarding human sexuality. A group of 38 subjects (Section I) was exposed to two visual imagery videotapes, one containing nonsexual material (Task) and one containing sexual material (Session) while the surface Electromylograph (EMG) was recorded from both the left and right forearm flexors. A second group of 36 subjects (Section II) viewed to videotapes, one containing non-sexual material (Task) in a visual verbal format and the other containing sexual material (Session) also in a visual verbal format while surface EMG was recorded. The surface EMG for Section I revealed significant increases in muscle tension in both arms, indicating a dual hemispheric information processing. Section II showed EMGs that revealed a significant difference only in the right arm, indicating left hemispheric information processing. For Section II the method of presentation rather than the content determined the hemispheric site of information processing.

The data were examined using analysis of variance to determine effect. The information presented to the two sections was differentiated by the mode of presentation or lateral hemispheric preference. The material designed as left hemispheric preference was perceived by the left hemisphere where right hemispheric material stimulated both hemispheres. The findings support the concept of laterality and the arena of different modes of information processing based on presentation for both sexual and nonsexual information. The inclusion of bilateral methods in teaching both students and clients enhances information processing by providing alternate forms. The possibility of engaging the effective domain through right hemispheric stimulation would also enhance the educational process.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-03, Section: B, page: 0827.

Thesis (D.S.N.)--UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, 1983.

School code: 0005.