Roger Sperry

Pioneers of Human Behaviour: Roger Sperry
A Gateway to His Life, Theories, and Legacy

Roger W. Sperry changed the way we understand the brain. His split-brain research revealed that the left and right hemispheres are not identical partners but specialised collaborators, each shaping our thoughts, language, creativity, and sense of self. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1981, Sperry’s work challenged long-held assumptions about consciousness and continues to influence psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy.

This concise yet powerful volume distils Sperry’s life and theories into clear, engaging chapters. From his early experiments in nerve regeneration to the revolutionary studies that redefined identity and awareness, the book offers both a portrait of the man and a gateway into his enduring legacy.

Alongside an accessible exploration of Sperry’s theories, you’ll discover:

• How his split-brain research demonstrated the specialised roles of each hemisphere.

• Why his experiments reshaped debates about free will, consciousness, and morality.

• The landmark works that secured him the Nobel Prize and global recognition.

• The cultural impact of “left brain/right brain” thinking — and the myths it created.

• The lasting influence of his discoveries on education, medicine, art, and beyond.

Part biography, part theory guide, and part reflection on legacy, this book offers an entry point to Sperry’s ideas for students, professionals, and general readers alike. It captures not only the science but also the humanity of a pioneer who believed that consciousness itself has real power.

The Pioneers of Human Behaviour series celebrates the lives and legacies of psychology’s greatest minds, presenting timeless insights in a format designed to inspire, inform, and endure.