Human brain is a product of evolution. Whether or not mind could be equated with brain may be a debatable topic. Yet, it is accepted that brain is the physiological representation of mind. Although brain is one from structural point of view, its function suggests the working of two separate domains of activity. Metaphorically speaking, brain may be one, but there are two minds.
The brain has two hemispheres: left and right. It has been clearly shown that these two hemispheres take care of two separate domains of activity. The left brain is the rational brain. It is mainly concerned with analysis, logic and language. On the contrary, the right hemisphere is concerned with emotion and pattern recognition. Of course, this not imply that the right hemisphere has no logical and language functions, nor does it imply that left has no role in emotion. By and large, there is division of functions. The left is analytic while the right is synthetic.
Prior to understanding the implication of hemispheric lateralization, another clue is essential. The left hemisphere has most neural connections with right side organs of the human body. Similarly, right hemisphere of the brain is mostly connected with left side organs of the body.
This leads to an interesting conclusion which can be illustrated in the form of an example and/or experiment. Suppose a child is given a bag containing a number of chips of various sizes and shapes. The child is asked to put his/her hand into the bag and count these chips without having a chance to see them. It is found that the child is relatively more successful by using his/her right hand compared with his/her left hand. The explanation is simple. The counting is an analytical work and it is best performed by left brain. Since left brain is connected with right side organs, the use of right hand would bring greater success than the use of left hand.
At the next instance, the child may be asked to indicate shapes and sizes of chips placed inside the bag. In this case, the use of left hand would bring greater success than the use of right hand. The identification of shapes and sizes (pattern recognition) is a function of the right hemisphere. Accordingly, left side body organs such as the left hand generally connected with right brain would be successful to a greater extent than right hand (connected with left brain).
If this observation is extended to other areas of life, there are many interesting conclusions. For example, left ear is more appropriate than the right ear for listening and appreciating music, as it involves patterns of sound. Similarly, left eye is more useful for viewing and appreciating painting as it involves pattern.
At the level of controlled experimental studies, noble prize winner Roger Sperry has demonstrated fascinating results. He neutralized the left hemisphere of a person with the help of an injection and asked the person to describe an accident he/she witnessed. It was shown the person described the accident with all sorts of emotional experience and expression, but the details and accuracy were missing. The analytical brain (the left hemisphere) was not working, hence such results. Subsequently, the right hemisphere was neutralized and the person was asked to describe accident. It was found that there was accuracy and detail, but emotion at the time of description was missing. Of course, these hemisphere work in an integrated manner in our day-to-day life. Yet, schism between the two leads to many more interesting outcomes we come across.
The brain has two hemispheres: left and right. It has been clearly shown that these two hemispheres take care of two separate domains of activity. The left brain is the rational brain. It is mainly concerned with analysis, logic and language. On the contrary, the right hemisphere is concerned with emotion and pattern recognition. Of course, this not imply that the right hemisphere has no logical and language functions, nor does it imply that left has no role in emotion. By and large, there is division of functions. The left is analytic while the right is synthetic.
Prior to understanding the implication of hemispheric lateralization, another clue is essential. The left hemisphere has most neural connections with right side organs of the human body. Similarly, right hemisphere of the brain is mostly connected with left side organs of the body.
This leads to an interesting conclusion which can be illustrated in the form of an example and/or experiment. Suppose a child is given a bag containing a number of chips of various sizes and shapes. The child is asked to put his/her hand into the bag and count these chips without having a chance to see them. It is found that the child is relatively more successful by using his/her right hand compared with his/her left hand. The explanation is simple. The counting is an analytical work and it is best performed by left brain. Since left brain is connected with right side organs, the use of right hand would bring greater success than the use of left hand.
At the next instance, the child may be asked to indicate shapes and sizes of chips placed inside the bag. In this case, the use of left hand would bring greater success than the use of right hand. The identification of shapes and sizes (pattern recognition) is a function of the right hemisphere. Accordingly, left side body organs such as the left hand generally connected with right brain would be successful to a greater extent than right hand (connected with left brain).
If this observation is extended to other areas of life, there are many interesting conclusions. For example, left ear is more appropriate than the right ear for listening and appreciating music, as it involves patterns of sound. Similarly, left eye is more useful for viewing and appreciating painting as it involves pattern.
At the level of controlled experimental studies, noble prize winner Roger Sperry has demonstrated fascinating results. He neutralized the left hemisphere of a person with the help of an injection and asked the person to describe an accident he/she witnessed. It was shown the person described the accident with all sorts of emotional experience and expression, but the details and accuracy were missing. The analytical brain (the left hemisphere) was not working, hence such results. Subsequently, the right hemisphere was neutralized and the person was asked to describe accident. It was found that there was accuracy and detail, but emotion at the time of description was missing. Of course, these hemisphere work in an integrated manner in our day-to-day life. Yet, schism between the two leads to many more interesting outcomes we come across.