Left and right brain dominance
What is dominance?
In this context, to dominate means to be the most important or
controlling part in a certain situation.
The brain hemispheres
The human brain has two halves, called hemispheres (hemispheres
literally means ‘half a sphere’).
A popular theory is that each side of the brain controls a different set
of functions. This is called lateralisation of the brain (lateral means
‘side’). However, experimental studies have been unable to prove
this conclusively. It is true that there are specific areas of the brain
that appear to be focused on a particular function (e.g. speech), but
brain research has proven that both hemispheres are involved in any
so-called ‘typical’ left or right brain activity. Also, if one side of the
brain is damaged in an accident, the other side often takes over those
functions and performs them as well.
Nevertheless, it remains a well-known viewpoint in psychology that
people are either more ‘left or right brain oriented’ when it comes to
learning, creativity, decision-making, emotions, etc. e broad
functions ascribed to the two sides of the brain are shown below:
Left hemisphere – logical, sequential, detailed
• Strong verbal skills
• Good at language; thinks in words
• Thinks analytically, systematically and realistically
• Thinks rationally (logically)
• Very aware of detail when looking at things
What is dominance?
In this context, to dominate means to be the most important or
controlling part in a certain situation.
The brain hemispheres
The human brain has two halves, called hemispheres (hemispheres
literally means ‘half a sphere’).
A popular theory is that each side of the brain controls a different set
of functions. This is called lateralisation of the brain (lateral means
‘side’). However, experimental studies have been unable to prove
this conclusively. It is true that there are specific areas of the brain
that appear to be focused on a particular function (e.g. speech), but
brain research has proven that both hemispheres are involved in any
so-called ‘typical’ left or right brain activity. Also, if one side of the
brain is damaged in an accident, the other side often takes over those
functions and performs them as well.
Nevertheless, it remains a well-known viewpoint in psychology that
people are either more ‘left or right brain oriented’ when it comes to
learning, creativity, decision-making, emotions, etc. e broad
functions ascribed to the two sides of the brain are shown below:
Left hemisphere – logical, sequential, detailed
• Strong verbal skills
• Good at language; thinks in words
• Thinks analytically, systematically and realistically
• Thinks rationally (logically)
• Very aware of detail when looking at things
