Time To Challenge The Left Brain – Right Brain Myth
It is a known phenomenon that everyone is aware of. The right side of the brain is more creative and eccentric, whereas the left side is more logical and reasoning. The right side has been related to art, music, poetry, and the left brain is associated with language processing, providing a rationale to the problems, etc. As a student, everyone recalls their teachers who encouraged us to be right-handed because they believed if we use our right-hand frequently, we will make our left side of the brain stronger. But are the tasks divided by the brain as simple as black and white? It could be plausible that, in reality, the scenario is quite different.
Insight v/s story
There was a research conducted wherein it was proved that the ‘eureka’ flash of intuition is more realized by the right hemisphere of the brain. The ‘insight’ that we get is usually the work of our right hemisphere. However, the research wasn’t so simple. When the participants were provided with a piece of the puzzle, and they were asked to match it with the picture shown, the results were quite different.
The picture that has to be matched with the puzzle was shown to the right hemisphere, and the puzzle piece was shown to the left hemisphere. The right hemisphere had the intuition of what clue to pick but the story, i.e., the reasoning for choosing the same was done by the left hemisphere. So, in other words, the insight of the right hemisphere is processed in the left hemisphere, and it justifies it with logic. This is called the ‘interpreter phenomenon.’
The interconnection
The two parts of the brain are interconnected, and their tasks are done together rather than separating them into sections. For example, the language is processed by the left hemisphere, but the intonation and emphasis of the words are processed by the right hemisphere. Due to the myth that only the left hemisphere is responsible for the reasoning, there are many apps developed today that ‘helps us’ in strengthening our left hemisphere.
The modern technology
The belief system of the myth that the right hemisphere is creative and left is more logical has observed a rise in the trend of today’s world. The right hemisphere is associated with emotion and spiritual growth. The self-help coaches advocate this phenomenon and help people develop their right side of the brain. Today, even teachers often give students assignments that promote the use of the right side of the brain.
On the other hand, the apps of today are built on logic. Thus, focusing more on developing your left side of the brain. The games and questionnaires are built in a way to make use of your left hemisphere.
However, in reality, the brains work together as coordination, which is studied by the neurologists. But the myth helps a person to target their weakness and improve upon it. The myth does help a person to be better in some aspects by practice, but the truth is that both the hemisphere works together in many tasks undertaken by us.
