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The Two Sides of the Brain
30 July 09 The Two Sides of the Brain
The Brain has 2 almost identical halves that both have different functions and responsibilities. they are connected and separated by a think cable containing some 200 million nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. Whilst each hemisphere has its own specialization, both are used by the individual there is substantial evidence that one or the other hemisphere tends to be dominant. Thus, we say we are either "right-brained" or "left -brained".Left hemisphere
The left hemisphere is logical analytical and rational. It is strongly orientated to reality and controls language and speech. When we are using our left side of our brain, our reasoning is logical and systematic ordering facts step by step to come to one and only one logical conclusion. Lawyers accountants and scientists are said to be "left brain dominant" and you can see why.
So the characteristics of the left side of the brain are:
Logical
Rational
Sequential
figuring out linear and
objective
Photo Credit: J. Parks
Right Hemisphere
The right hemisphere is non rational and intuitive. It is involved with imagination, spatial relationships, music, art, and symbolism. Its capable of processing many kinds of information at once. This allows it to arrive at hunches or feelings rather than the analytical conclusions of the left hemisphere. We "see" things in this mode of thinking that may be imaginary or we recall things that are real. We see how things exist in space an how parts go together to make a whole. Using the right hemisphere we understand metaphors , we dream and create new combinations of ideas. when we come across something too complex to describe, we make gestures to communicate more clearly. Using the right hemisphere we are able to draw picture of our perceptions.
Artists, musicians, writers and poets have occupations that require the synthetic or integrative processing of information. Logi and sequence play little or no part in their day to day jobs. Thy are there for considered to be "right brain" people.
Two ways of Knowing
The concept of duality of human nature has been taught by philosophers teachers and scientists from many different cultures and periods of time. The dominant idea is that there are 2 distinct yet parallel "ways of knowing", distinctly correlating to the 2 sides of the brain. These concepts are embedded in our everyday language and are present in our every day lives. The main divisions are between thinking and feeling; intellect and intuition; objective analysis and subjective insight. Political commentators say that people generally analyse the good and bad points of an issue then vote on their gut feelings.
*Credit: The information was adapted from 'The Wizard Within' by A.M Krasner.