The two hemispheres of our brains are associated in popular science with two broad and differing categories of thought—the right side is creative, the left side is logical. These distinctions are somewhat scientifically dubious, since all of the characteristics can in some ways be associated with each hemisphere. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that following some trauma to the brain, the other hemisphere can adapt to what was lost due to the trauma.
Other, more recent findings appear to be challenging this perception.
That said, the perception persists, as do the following right-brain left-brain attributes.
Right Hemisphere
The right hemisphere of the brain controls the left side of the body. It is chiefly associated with nonverbal ideation. The functions connected to the right half of your head include the likes of:
- Creative thinking
- Image processing
- Intuitive cognitive style
- Sound and facial recognition
- Figurative thinking
- Spatial orientation and integration
- Tactile perception
- Pattern spotting
In sum the right hemisphere appears to control spatial orientation and judgment and has the capacity for recollecting events and for putting together pieces of information to draw conclusions.
Left Hemisphere
The left brain hemisphere controls the right side of the body. Traditionally, the left hemisphere has been associated with the following characteristics, all of which can be steered towards that popular, logical, linear line of thinking:
- Receptive language
- Detailed, precision thinking
- Writing
- Analytic thinking, logic
- Linear-based math
- Organization and calculation
- Speech
- Sequential
In sum, the left hemisphere appears to control the understanding and the uses of language and communication as well as make detailed analysis of incoming information.
