Introduction
The brain is perhaps the most important part of the human body, yet it is one of the few parts that is yet to be fully understood by scientists.
Our brain is divided into many parts. The largest part, which makes up about 2/3 of the brain's mass is the cerebrum. The cerebrum is responsible for many crucial aspects of our lives such as intelligence, memory, personality and imagination. This region of the brain is further divided into two hemispheres, which have their strengths and weaknesses in terms of what kind of information they can process. In general, the left processes small details or information that has a specific order/ sequence, where as the right hemisphere processes information in larger chunks and has a easier time interpreting the 'big picture'.
How do the two hemispheres share the information they collect?
It is a common misconception that the two hemispheres work together. In fact, the hemispheres work in a method known as functional asymmetry. This means that the two hemispheres independently and cater well to only certain kinds of information. They are connected by a long chain of nerve fibers known as the corpus callosum. When the two sides interpret different aspects of the information presented, they use the corpus callosum to generate the entire concept.
This concept was understood more when Nobel Prize winner Roger Sperry did a brain surgery in which he had to remove the corpus callosum of a patient. Even though there was no link between the two halves of the brain, the patient was able to do everything, just not simultaneously. For instance when he saw a pencil from his right eye or held it in his right hand, his left-brain could name it but determine its use. If the same pencil was then shown to him in through his left eye, his right brain allowed him to state the use of the pencil but not name it. A similar situation is presented in the following link. It is a video of a someone whose hemispheres are not connected through the corpus callosum.
With such experiences, scientists have concluded that humans do not simultaneously use both sides of their brain. Instead, with the help of the corpus callosum, they are able to switch back and forth between the two sides to absorb and interpret all forms of information.
Why does it matter whether I am Right/Left Brained?
Though each individual uses both sides of the brain to some extent, most people use one side more dominantly over the other. Some people have a slight preference in terms of which side they prefer to use while others have a clear preference and thus a vastly clear dominance. For example, people of the first type, may have a dominance of 58 % in the right brain and 42% in the left brain. While the second type of people (which includes me) have percentages like 35% right brained and 65% left brained. However, in order to reach ones maximum capacity and potential to absorb information, it is best to be as balanced as possible. Though this is rare, but someone who has a 50% right and left brain dominance (also known as whole-brained) has an easy time learning and understanding information regardless of how it is presented. In a technical sense, this means that they are able to use their corpus callosum effectively in order to switch to the appropriate side to interpret specific information. So, back to the question. How is knowing one's dominance useful? The most useful application is for education and occupations. By knowing which side of the you brain use more, you can enhance learning methods, studying tactics, narrow options for majors, and learn about the best suitable jobs. Visit the following site in order to know your dominance, then continue to the following pages. Site : - http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.html