Essentially there is a strong fold that goes from the front to back of our brain dividing it into two distinct hemispheres. They are connected to each other by a thick cable of nerves at the base of each brain, called the corpus collosum.
Scientific experimentation has discovered that these two different sides of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of either of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes.
So how can you tell which side of the brain you predominately think with?
Look at the figure above.
Now, which way is the woman above turning? Is she turning clockwise or ant-clockwise?
If you answered anti-clockwise, you use the left side of your brain, and if you answered clockwise you use the right side of your brain.
Those who use the left side of their brains account for an estimated 95% of the worlds population, and those who use the right side of their brains account for around only 5% of the population.
The differences between left brain and right brain thinking is as follows:
If you see the picture anti-clockwise, you are dominated by your:
Left Brain (analytic)
- Verbal
- Logical
- Sequential
- Rational
- Analytical
- Objective
- Looks at parts
- Detail oriented
- Facts rule
- Words and language
- Present and past
- Math and science
- Can comprehend
- Knowing
- Acknowledges
- Order/pattern perception
- Knows object name
- Reality based
- Forms strategies
- Practical
- Safe
- Responds to word meaning
- Processes information linearly
- Responds to logic
- Recalls people’s names
- Speaks with few gestures
- Punctual
- Prefers formal study design and bright lights whilst studying
If you see the picture clockwise, you are dominated by your:
Right Brain (global)
- Visual
- Random
- Intuitive
- Holistic
- Synthesizing
- Subjective
- Looks at wholes
- Uses feeling
- “Big picture” oriented
- Imagination rules
- Symbols and images
- Present and future
- Philosophy & religion
- Can “get it” (i.e. meaning)
- Believes
- Appreciates
- Spatial perception
- Knows object function
- Fantasy based
- Presents possibilities
- Impetuous
- Risk taking
- Responds to tone of voice
- Processes information in varied order
- Responds to emotion
- Recalls people’s faces
- Gestures when speaking
- Less punctual
- Prefers sound/music background and frequent mobility whilst studying
A Scientific Perspective
Roger Wolcott Sperry (August 20, 1913 - April 17, 1994) was a neuropsychologist, neurobiologist and Nobel laureate who, together with David Hunter Hubel and Torsten Nils Wiesel, won the 1981 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work with split-brain research.
One of Roger Sperry’s research experiments was from a patient suffering from uncontrollable seizures who had an area of his brain removed by surgery, the corpus collosum, in an attempt to control his illness.
Following his surgery, Sperry’s patient appeared to be completely normal, however this was not the case. A series of tests were conducted where each “half” of the patient was isolated from the other. Different visual and tactile information could then be presented to the patient’s left or right side, without the other side knowing, and the results were astounding.
With their communications link severed (the corpus collosum), each side of the patient’s brain was functioning independently. Although this did not prevent his ability to walk, talk and eat, some unexpected findings were encountered in some of the higher brain functions when each side was examined independently of the other.
The right hand and eye could name an object, such as a pencil, but the patient could not explain what it was used for. When shown to the left hand and eye, the patient could explain and demonstrate its use, but could not name it. Further studies showed that various functions of thought are physically separated and localised to a specific area on either the left or right side of the human brain.
“The main theme to emerge is that there appears to be two modes of thinking, verbal and nonverbal, represented rather separately in left and right hemispheres respectively and that our education system, as well as science in general, tends to neglect the non-verbal form of intellect. What it comes down to is that modern society discriminates against the right hemisphere.”
-Roger Sperry (1973)
Upon completing their research, it was becoming clear to researchers that each side of the brain had a characteristic way that it interpreted how it viewed the world and reacted to it.
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