The Left Brain Vs the Right Brain - Research Paper Example

The Left Brain Vs the Right Brain The brain happens to be one of the most amazing components of the human body, and there are a number of studies that have been conducted over it in a bid to better understand this amazing organism. The brain is in charge for the control of the rest of the body and dissemination of thoughts and ideas (Westen et al, 2006). One of the main issues that have been related to the study of the brain is its structure and the significance of the roles that each part plays in the functioning and activities of an individual (Goldberg, 2009). Among these activities is the learning process that an individual goes through in relation to what side of the brain they are most attuned to (that is, the left and the right hemisphere). This led to the development of a theory that is known as the left brain – right brain theory that focuses on the dominance of a particular hemisphere and relation to how one functions as a result of this dominance (Beaumont, 2008). According to the theory, the left and the right side of the brain are responsible for a number of activities that a person performs with regard to brain activity and thus the dominance of a particular side will lead to an individual being more capable in a number of fields as compared to others (Beaumont, 2008). This theory can be used to study the effect that this dominance has on the capabilities of an individual to learn new things and the best way for these individuals to ingest new information in accordance to their strengths and their weak points (Goldberg, 2009). However, it should be noted that this theory has not exactly been proven to be true beyond all doubt and thus it cannot be said that a particular hemisphere holds a particular type of strength or that there is actually the existence of left and right brained individuals (Westen et al, 2006). Every individual is able to capably utilize both sides of their brain with exception to those suffering from medical problems and thus this theory can be said to remain a strong speculation at best. The left brain right brain theory suggests that each hemisphere utilizes a certain type of thinking. It is also advocates that most individuals prefer one type of thinking over the other and thus using this criteria one can either be considered a left brain or right brain thinker. The Left Side of the Brain The left side of the brain is said to perform a number of functions better than the right side and thus an individual who is referred to as a left brain thinker is said to be adept in issues that require analytical thinking, logic and language (Beaumont, 2008). This can involve functions such as critical thinking, problems that involve numbers and situations that may require reasoning. As a result, the left brain thinker can be seen as a logical individual. The Right Side of the Brian The right hemisphere of the brain on the other hand specializes in other issues such as expression and tasks that may require creative thinking (Goswami, 2006). This means that an individual who is a right brain thinker is adept at other tasks not related to the left side of the brain such as creativity, subjects such as music, color, intuition, expressing as well as reading emotions in others and images for example the recognition of faces(Goldberg, 2009). Using the criteria that have been established for both sides of the brain, one is able to establish the different types of thinking that are utilized by these two types of people (Goldberg, 2009). Whilst the left brained thinker will use logic and critical thinking processes to deal with problems in an analytical and what can be described as an established manner, the right brained thinker would prefer to take the route of creative thinking whereby they come up with what can be considered as unorthodox solutions to dealing with the same problems (Goldberg, 2009). It should also be noted that no one side of the brain, left or right is stronger than the other and considered to be the better option, and though individuals may approach issues in different ways, each holds an equal chance at success and/or failure with their mode of thought (Westen et al, 2006). Thus, it can be said that is quite possible for individuals to use different methods of approach when dealing with a situation that will leave them with similar results in the end. The impact that these modes of thought have on an individual’s process thus does not have to do with the success or failure of a person’s attempt (Goswami, 2006). The relation of dominance in one of the hemispheres of the brain will only impact the manner that an individual will approach the learning process and thus the best methods to be used so as to take advantage of this left or right sided dominance. However, an individual can be said to be better at a particular subject than in others as a result of the hemisphere dominance that they happen to have (Westen et al, 2006). For example, a left brained thinker will probably be adept in subjects such as Mathand psychology as a result while those whose dominance lies in the right side of the brain will probably be good in subjects such as music and art that require the implementation of creativity in their creation and disambiguation. Understanding the type of thinker an individual is can play to their advantage as this will allow them to know the best way for them to approach a subject in order to gain the utmost understanding (Goswami, 2006). A good example of this can be seen in people who may not have an easy time understanding verbal communication or understanding (a characteristic that displays that the individual is likely to be a right brain thinker) can write down the instructions down so as to have a visual source of the information that will help them absorb it better (Beaumont, 2008). The argument behind such a move would be because a right brain thinker is served better with images than with language/verbal communication. On the other hand, a person who does understand what they are reading would be better served by having someone explain the concept to them verbally. References Beaumont, J.G. (2008). Introduction to Neuropsychology, Second Edition. North Baltimore: The Guilford Press. Goldberg, E. (2009). The New Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes in a Complex World. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Goswami, U. (2006). Neuroscience and education: from research to practice? Nat Rev Neurosci 7(5). Westen et al. (2006). Psychology: Australian and New Zealand edition. New Jersey: John Wiley Read More