We all have only one brain, of course. Then why is there a left-brain and a right-brain? If you want to know, then you are reading the right article. Okay, let me brief you up about the article.
Our brain is divided into two hemispheres from the middle. And surprisingly, each part is distinct from the other. They have different functions and responsibilities. The picture below might give you an idea of what the two sides are meant to do. And there’s much more of it.
Well, you might come across some strange, weird words; they are just some biological terms. Don’t run away. We will keep this simple.
The lateralization of brain function refers to how some neural functions, or cognitive processes tend to be more dominant in one hemisphere than the other. The medial longitudinal fissure separates the human brain into two distinct cerebral hemispheres, connected by the corpus callosum. Although the macrostructure of the two hemispheres appear to be almost identical, different composition of neuronal networks allow for specialized function that is different in each hemisphere. – Wikipedia
Corpus callosum, is this an English word? Biological terms. The corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows them to communicate. It acts as an intermediate or interface.
What are the functions of the left brain? How does it work? And what happens if it’s disabled? You might have many questions roaming in your mind right now, are the questions coming from the right side or the left? Haha, relax.
The left-brain
Left-hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of your body. A person who is “left-brained” is often said to be more logical, analytical, and objective.
The left side of the brain is considered to be adept at tasks that involve logic, language, and analytical thinking. The left brain is described as being better at:
- Language
- Logic
- Critical thinking
- Numbers
- Reasoning
The right-side
The right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of your body. The right hemisphere is mainly in charge of spatial abilities, face recognition, and processing music.
The following abilities can characterize the right side of the brain:
- Recognizing faces
- Expressing emotions
- Music
- Reading emotions
- Color
- Images
- Intuition
- Creativity
It is not merely left vs. right. It is more complex than that. For example, some people throw a ball with their right hand but write with their left. Being right-brained is not superior to being left-brained. What is important is to be aware that there are different ways of thinking, and by knowing what your natural preference is, you can pay attention to your less dominant side to improve the same. For example, by consciously using the right side of our brain, we can be more creative. Because left-brain strategies are the ones used most often in the classroom, right-brain students sometimes feel neglected.
By activating the power of both hemispheres, a child will be able to retain knowledge better and become proficient in any subject, especially math.
Research by Michael Gazzaniga and Roger Wolcott Sperry in the 1960s on split-brain patients led to an even greater understanding. Split-brain patients are patients who have undergone corpus callosotomy (usually as a treatment for severe epilepsy), a severing of a large part of the corpus callosum.
When the callosum is cut, there is a reduction in the communication between the two hemispheres. This affects our brain in a wide way. And this has helped in understanding and analyzing the working of both the hemispheres.
The brain carefully balances and assigns control of certain functions to each side to ensure that the brain ultimately splits up tasks to maximize efficiency.