One Explanation for the Extraordinary Performances of People with Savant

question 102

Multiple Choice

One explanation for the extraordinary performances of people with savant syndrome is that an area of the brain is damaged, freeing the person from the "distractions" of language, concepts, and higher-level thoughts. This area of the brain that is theorized to be damaged in persons with savant syndrome is the

• A)left hemisphere
• B)right hemisphere
• C)corpus callosum
• D)reticular formation

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Definitions:

Mental Disorders

Conditions characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior associated with distress or impaired functioning.

Decision Making

The cognitive process of selecting a course of action from among multiple alternatives.

Optimal Periods

Specific times in development when the organism is particularly responsive to certain environmental stimuli or experiences.

Language Development

The process by which individuals acquire the capacity to perceive, produce, and use words to understand and communicate.