Human Brain



Human Brain

Introduction

The left brain is responsible for logical, sequential thinking, and learning. Analysis, linear thinking, order, and the need for structure, take place in the left brain. Whereas, the right-brain is responsible for musical tunes, patterns and mental pictures and it is concerned with whole picture and spatial relationships.

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

According to the theory of left-brain or right-brain dominance, each side of the brain controls different types of thinking. Additionally, people are said to prefer one type of thinking over the other. For example, a person who is "left-brained" is often said to be more logical, analytical and objective, while a person who is "right-brained" is said to be more intuitive, thoughtful and subjective. In psychology, the theory is based on what is known as the lateralization of brain function. So does one side of the brain really control specific functions? Are people either left-brained or right-brained? Like many popular psychology myths, this one has a basis in fact that has been dramatically distorted and exaggerated (Jung, 2010).

According to the left-brain, right-brain dominance theory, the right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Some of the abilities that are popularly associated with the right side of the brain include (Herrmann, 1990).

Recognizing faces

Expressing emotions

Music

Reading emotions

Color

Images

Intuition

Creativity

The left-side of the brain is considered to be adept at tasks that involve logic, language and analytical thinking. The left-brain is often described as being better at:

Language

Logic

Critical thinking

Numbers

Reasoning

Uses of Right-Brain, Left-Brain Theory

While often over-generalized and overstated by popular psychology and self-help texts, understanding your strengths and weaknesses in certain areas can help you develop better ways to learn and study. For example, students who have a difficult time following verbal instructions (often cited as a right-brain characteristic) can benefit from writing down directions and developing better organizational skills(Lazear, ...