It is widely known that left handed people use the right side of their brain more, and subsquently, right handed people use the left side of their brain predominately.
For right-handed people. left hemisphere thinking is
- sequential
- linear
- logical
- practical
- mathematical
- time orientated
For left handed people, right hemisphere thinking is
- non-linear
- intuitive
- abstract
- big-picture focused
- creative
- space-oriented
Because most people are predominately right or left handed, most people use one hemisphere more than the other.
More points to ponder:
- In most (97%) right-handed people language is controlled by the left hemisphere. Left-handers have a more even distribution of language in both hemispheres. In 19% this is concentrated in the left hemisphere, and in 68% it is concentrated in the right hemisphere, the remainder have language processing in both hemispheres. (Paul Broca’s work in 1861 with a patient nicknamed Tan)
Hemisphere Specialties compiled from R Carter, Mapping the Mind and D Falk, Braindance
Right Hemisphere Specialty
- Copying of designs
- Discrimination of shapes e.g. picking out a camouflaged object
- Understanding geometric properties
- Reading faces
- Music
- Global holistic processing
- Understanding of metaphors
- Expressing emotions
- Reading emotions.
Left Hemisphere Specialty
- Language skills
- Skilled movement
- Analytical time sequence processing
Shared Hemisphere Specialty
- Sensations on both side of face
- Sound perceived by both ears
- Pain
- Hunger
- Position
The following is drawn from Ned Herrmann ”Father of brain dominance technology”
Left cerebral hemisphere (Analytical thinking)
- logical
- factual
- critical
- technical and quantitative
Left cerebral hemisphere (Analytical thinking) preferred activities
- collecting data
- listening to informational lectures
- reading textbooks
- Judging ideas based on facts, criteria and logical reasoning
Left limbic system (Sequential thinking)
- conservative
- structured
- organised
- detailed
- planned
Left limbic system (Sequential thinking) preferred activities
- following directions
- repetitive detailed homework problems
- time management
- schedules
Right cerebral hemisphere (Imaginative thinking)
- Visual
- holistic
- intuitive
- innovative
- conceptual
Right cerebral hemisphere (Imaginative thinking) preferred activities
- Looking at the big picture
- taking initiative
- simulations (what if questions)
- visual aids
- Appreciate beauty of a problem
- brainstorming
Right limbic system (Interpersonal thinking)
- kinaesthetic
- emotional
- spiritual
- sensory
- feeling
Right limbic system (Interpersonal thinking) preferred activities
- listening to and sharing ideas
- looking for personal meaning
- sensory input
- group study