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The “Left Brain, Right Brain” Myth

It's a common belief that the left and right hemispheres of the brain are separate: the left is for logical thinking and the right is for creativity. Many people categorize themselves as being left or right brain-oriented depending on their interests and skills. However, functions of the brain can’t be captured in such black and white reasoning.

Both halves of the brain are used regularly. For example, if you listen to music, the temporal lobe allows you to hear it. However, you use many parts of your brain to emotionally respond to music, sense the rhythm, and follow the melody. It’s still true that language is left-oriented and emotions are right-oriented, and that the lobes of the brain have specific tasks. But no evidence suggests that a person’s left or right of the brain is stronger than the other. 

So it's a myth that the hemispheres of the brain oppose each other and everyone uses one of them more. I think this concept is so popular because it gives people a defined personality type, which makes them believe in their potential and abilities.


Source: https://www.webmd.com/brain/the-difference-between-the-left-and-right-brain


Comments

  1. englishdiaryApril 12, 2022 at 10:40 AM

    But it also suggests that our 'type' (more logical and analytical vs more chaotic and creative) is biologically conditioned and beyond our control. Which you suggest is not quite right?

    ReplyDelete

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