Left Brain vs. Right Brain 2
- 1. 1 Running Head: LeftBrain/Right Brain: Student Learning and Application One of the conflicts involving psychological response to stimuli is determined by which side of the brain responds to any given situation. The brain is divided into two hemispheres called the right brain and the left brain. Although the left side of the body is controlled by the right brain and the right side of the body is controlled by the left brain, both are hemispheres control different personality functions. The sides compete with each other more so than they integrate with each other. The left side of the brain is the more logical and analytical of the two hemispheres. This is the side that is used when thinking and processing information. One facet is that information is processed from parts to a whole. Pieces are then put together in a logical order to see the big picture. List making is a common practice of the left brain oriented people, because they prefer sequential thinking. Left brain people have a much easier time processing symbols and solving math problems. Semantics is an easier concept to grasp compared to right brained people. When a situation involves verbal to nonverbal communication, left brains are better at interpreting verbal communication. They have an easier time getting their meaning across with words because they usually think things out before they talk. The left brain people can understand directions better with words alone without visual pictures. People that are left brain oriented are good at dealing with reality and adjusting to it. They follow rules and if there are no rules they will make them up so there is some semblance of order. On the opposite side of the brain is the emotional side, or its more common name, the right brain. The right side of the brain takes a holistic approach to processing information. This means that facts need to be given as a big picture and broken down into smaller pieces. They are less inclined to develop a plan for a project and just start on doing the work immediately.
- 2. 2 Running Head: LeftBrain/Right brain Right brain people tend to be random thinkers. They can go from task to task without even realizing that they have not finished any of the previous tasks. Although work does get done, sometimes the important things may not get do right away. Having a list or a schedule may be essential to keeping on track. Right brain people need texture to process information. Use of the five senses makes processing information come alive for them. Intuition is heavily involved in the decision making process of the right brain people. Knowing something feels right is enough to draw a conclusion, even though the logic of the situation is not present. Interpreting nonverbal cues is easier for right brain people. In the scenario of giving directions a right brain person needs things to be written down, given a visual picture, or just have the directions repeated several times. Right brain people are not always in touch with reality and need periodic feedback and an anchor to reality. The upside to right brain thinking is that they are more creative, and can remember things based on the emotions experiences of the learning process. Considering my personal experience I would favor the left brain mentality. Like many people, I have elements of both brain hemispheres, but the left brain has lead to better results. Using my left brain over the right brain has a lot to do with adapting to my environment. In the United States the citizens operate on a tight schedule following left brain logic, that not adapting to this lifestyle could lead to isolation. One of the observations I made that left brain rationale has benefited me is in romance. Over the past few years I noticed that it is better to watch other people make mistakes in their relationships and to avoid those mistakes. When looking at a relationship as an observer it is easier to see how good or bad the relationship is and tell a friend the truth. When someone is
- 3. 3 Running Head: LeftBrain/Right Brain in a relationship operate using the right brain. This can cloud a person’s thinking so they are not likely to recognize any potential faults or good parts of the relationship. One generalization I have made is that men tend to be more left brained and women are more likely right brained. Right brain thinking is a positive trait in the area of child rearing and being a good listener. Women are more likely than men to possess this trait of right brain thinking. Another observation I noticed is that using too much of the left brain can leave a person emotionally disconnected. Focusing very hard on specific details and technicalities totally ignores the human element in any situation. The best situation that comes to mind involves the ever popular quest to make money. For example, the bankers that have amassed a fortune over the past few years at the expense of the people they exploited. I have learned a few things while doing for research for this project. The way I think things through is in a linear manner. I like to have as much information as possible before I make a decision. I do make lists for my activities, but I keep them in my head. My daily routine rarely changes. In school work I should approach a problem from the bottom up. As interesting as the concept of left versus right brain is, none of this is useful to me in the pursuit of my studies. I have been a good student so my lack of previous knowledge isn’t necessary for my success. The only obstacle I have is sometimes I can get lazy. Being lazy is the biggest reason for why I have received a low grade in a class in my college career. Whenever I apply myself for the class the results were very good.