Left Brain vs Right Brain Dominance: Which One Are You?

The idea that humans are either "left-brained" logical thinkers or "right-brained" creative spirits has become deeply embedded in popular culture. Yet the...

The idea that humans are either “left-brained” logical thinkers or “right-brained” creative spirits has become deeply embedded in popular culture.

Yet the science behind brain hemispheres tells a fascinating—and surprisingly different—story than what popular psychology would have us believe.

Let’s take a closer look at what being “left-brained” or “right-brained” actually means!

What is Brain Lateralization?

The right brain vs left brain debate comes from a scientific concept called “brain lateralization” and this refers to how certain functions are processed more by one hemisphere of the brain than the other.

The two hemispheres of the brain are connected by a bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum, which allows both sides to communicate and work together.

This scientific understanding began with Nobel Prize winner Roger Sperry’s https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9363358/#:~:text=Sperry%20won%20the%20Nobel%20Prize,April%201994%20in%20Pasadena%2C%20California. groundbreaking “split-brain” research, wherein the corpus callosum of individuals with epilepsy were severed to limit the spread of their seizures.

This led to some fascinating insights into the differential functions of the two hemispheres. When shown an image to only their left eye (connected to the right brain), for example, these patients couldn’t verbally name what they saw, but could draw it with their left hand!

Bottom line: We always use both sides of our brain. You cannot be dominant in one side.

Here’s an overview of some of the key specializations of each hemisphere:

Left Hemisphere Specializations

Right Hemisphere Specializations

These discoveries eventually developed into the commonly held notion that the left brain is the logical, analytical side while the right brain is the creative, artistic side.

This idea has been embraced by popular culture, spawning countless books, tests, and self-help programs promising to help you tap into your “dominant” hemisphere. While this makes for an appealing narrative, modern neuroscience tells us the reality is far more nuanced.

Another reality that people might not mention often (but everyone really knows) is that social skills matter! In fact, if you’re looking to up your skills, look no further:

The Science Behind Left Brain vs Right Brain

While both hemispheres do have specialized functions, a landmark 2013 study analyzing over 1,000 brain scans found no evidence that people are predominantly “left-brained” or “right-brained.” Instead, our brains show strong connectivity between both hemispheres, working together in complex ways.

In fact, the brain’s hemispheres work more like dance partners than solo performers. While each side has its specialties, modern science shows they’re constantly collaborating. Even in simple tasks like reading, both sides work together—the left processing words while the right grasps emotional context.

This table below illustrates how different cognitive functions rely on the collaboration between hemispheres:

How Your Brain Really Works

Let’s take an in-depth look at the logical (left) and creative (right) differences that have captured the public’s imagination. How do our two hemispheres actually work when engaging in “logical” versus “creative” activities?

The Creative Brain

Take the example of painting a picture. While this has often been conceptualized as a “right-brain” activity, here’s what actually happens:

The right hemisphere helps you…

• Visualize the overall composition: This includes understanding how different elements will work together and seeing the final image in your mind before you begin.
• Process colors and spatial relationships: Your right hemisphere helps you understand how colors interact and how objects relate to each other in space. This includes both conscious choices about color harmony and unconscious processing of spatial information.
• Connect with the emotional content of the image: This involves not just understanding the emotions you want to convey, but also processing your own emotional responses as you create.

Meanwhile, the left hemisphere…

• Plans the sequence of brush strokes: This involves breaking down the complex task of creating art into manageable steps.
• Maintains fine motor control: Your left hemisphere helps coordinate the precise movements needed for detailed work. This includes both gross motor movements and the fine adjustments needed for detailed brushwork.
• Analyzes technical aspects like perspective and proportion: This involves mathematical relationships and spatial reasoning that requires precise calculation and analysis.

The Mathematical Mind

Similarly, mathematical thinking isn’t purely a left-brain function. When solving complex math problems, your brain engages in a remarkable mix between hemispheres:

The left hemisphere takes the lead in…

• Processing numbers and symbols: This includes recognizing numerical patterns and understanding mathematical notation.
• Following mathematical rules: This involves applying learned procedures and logical steps to solve problems.
• Performing calculations: This includes both basic arithmetic and more complex computational tasks.

While the right hemisphere contributes by…

• Recognizing patterns: This involves seeing relationships between numbers and identifying mathematical structures. This pattern recognition ability often leads to mathematical insights and is crucial for advanced mathematics.
• Understanding spatial relationships: This is especially important in geometry and three-dimensional mathematics. The right hemisphere helps visualize spatial problems and understand geometric relationships.
• Making intuitive leaps to solutions: Often called mathematical intuition, this involves seeing solutions before working through all the steps. Research shows that mathematicians often report these “aha” moments during problem-solving.

Maximizing Your Cognitive Potential

Instead of trying to strengthen one hemisphere, try to focus on improving communication between both sides of our brain. Here are some evidence-based activities that engage both your right and left hemispheres, leading to improved synaptic connections between them:

Cross-Hemispheric Activities

• Learning a Musical Instrument https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17585307/
  • Left hemisphere processes rhythm and sequential finger movements
  • Right hemisphere handles melody and emotional expression
  • Both sides coordinate for tempo and performance
  • A 2019 study https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01198/full found that children who played a musical instrument had more mature corpus callosum white matter, which was in turn associated with greater intelligence
• Learning a New Language https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190508093716.htm
  • Left hemisphere processes grammar and vocabulary
  • Right hemisphere handles intonation and cultural context
  • Both sides work together for conversation fluency
  • A 2023 study https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.09.25.23296063v1.full found that learning a new language led to increased white matter integrity in the corpus callosum, which in turn resulted in improved cognitive performance
• Mindfulness Meditation https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9232427/
  • Left hemisphere engages in sustained attention and monitoring of present-moment experience
  • Right hemisphere processes spatial awareness and maintains the sense of bodily self
  • Both hemispheres coordinate to integrate focused attention with open awareness
  • A 2013 study https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3345952/ found that long-term meditators had thicker corpus callosum white matter than non-meditating controls.

The Role of Sleep and Recovery

Recent research has revealed that sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy brain function and communication between hemispheres. During sleep:

• The corpus callosum facilitates the cross-hemispheric flow of “sleep waves, https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-athletes-way/202006/how-slow-waves-flow-between-brain-hemispheres-during-sleep ” which are implicated in growth, memory and immune function
• The brain consolidates learning https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27221468/ from both hemispheres
• Neural pathways https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5535798/#:~:text=This%20selective%20pruning%20and%20strengthening,%2DREM%20sleep%20states%20(Fig. are strengthened and pruned
• Toxins are cleared https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-sleep-clears-brain from brain tissue
• Emotional processing https://www.jneurosci.org/content/43/3/433#:~:text=The%20special%20physiological%20state%20of,and%20consolidation%20of%20emotional%20memories. occurs

Practical Applications for Different Fields

Understanding how your brain really works can enhance performance across various domains. Here are some practical examples for the workplace and for learning:

Professional Development Using Both Hemispheres

• Balance Data and Intuition
  • Before big decisions, write two columns: “Data Says” (hard metrics) and “Gut Says” (instincts).
  • For example, when hiring, list both the candidate’s test scores and your impressions from the interview.
• Master Dual Communication
  • For every project, create both a bulleted spec sheet and a 2-minute story version.
  • Practice transitioning between “Here are the technical requirements…” and “Imagine if we could…”
• Lead with Both Brain and Heart
  • Start team meetings with 5 minutes on metrics, then 5 minutes on team morale.
  • Ask specific questions like “What’s the biggest challenge blocking your progress?” and “How energized do you feel about this project?”

Study Techniques That Engage the Whole Brain

• Create Visual-Verbal Maps
  • Take a blank paper, write your main topic in the center, and give yourself exactly 10 minutes to branch out with both drawings and one-line explanations.
  • Use different colors for different subtopics.
• Teach to Learn
  • Record yourself explaining the concept in under 3 minutes, as if teaching a friend.
  • Listen back—if you stumble or use jargon, that’s what you need to review.
• Test-Drive Concepts
  • After each study session, write down one real-world situation where you could apply what you just learned.
  • For example, spot cognitive biases in your favorite social media ads after studying psychology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Left Brain vs. Right Brain

What does it mean to be right-brained?

While people often use this term to describe creative or intuitive individuals, neuroscience shows that creativity involves both hemispheres working together. The right hemisphere does process certain aspects of creative thinking, but it always works in concert with the left hemisphere for any complex task.

Which side of the brain controls creativity?

Neither side “controls” creativity. Creative activities engage multiple neural networks across both hemispheres. The right hemisphere may process spatial and emotional elements while the left hemisphere helps organize and execute creative ideas.

How can I strengthen both sides of my brain?

Research suggests these activities can enhance whole-brain function:

- Learning a new language (engages both language and spatial centers) - Playing a musical instrument (combines analytical and creative processing) - Physical exercise (improves overall brain connectivity) - Sleep and meditation (enhances neural communication between hemispheres)

Are left-handed people right-brain dominant?

This is another myth. Handedness doesn’t determine brain dominance. Both right and left-handed individuals show similar patterns of brain activity across hemispheres.

How does brain dominance affect personality?

It doesn’t—personality traits arise from complex interactions throughout the brain.

The Power of Whole Brain Thinking

As we’ve explored throughout this article, our understanding of brain function has evolved dramatically since the early days of split-brain research. Key takeaways include:

• While each hemisphere does have specialized functions (like left-hemisphere language processing and right-hemisphere face recognition), these specializations don’t translate to personality types or thinking styles
• Split-brain studies revealed important insights about hemispheric specialization, but modern research shows healthy brains rely on constant communication between hemispheres
• Most complex cognitive tasks, from creative thinking to problem-solving, require both hemispheres working in concert
• The corpus callosum plays a crucial role in integrating information between hemispheres, allowing for unified thought and consciousness

The future of neuroscience continues to reveal increasingly sophisticated insights about brain function through advanced imaging techniques and expanded research. Rather than trying to categorize yourself as left or right-brained, focus on engaging your brain holistically through varied activities and continuous learning. Ready to learn more about how your mind works? Check out our article on Understanding Your Personality Type for deeper insights into what makes you unique.