Psychology Class
This post is a summary of a psychology lecture and Chapter 2 in my psychology textbook.
Free Psychology Chapter
If you want to learn more about this topic, you can download a free PDF of my neuroscience and behaviour chapter by clicking on this link.
Understanding
Individual Differences
Have you ever wondered how your best friend lives so freely “moment-to-moment” while your mind is imprisoned by thoughts of past events and/or planning of future events (so neatly) written in your (overly structured) daytimer?
Brain Hemispheric Specialization provides insight into why some of us are more present focused and able to “go with the flow” (Right Brain dominant); while others are busy planning their days with the step-by-step precision of a NASA engineer (Left Brain dominant).
Your Brain and Behaviour
Despite being identical in structure, the two halves of the brain specialize in how they process information (e.g., Past vs. Present), and how they function (e.g., Verbal vs. Nonverbal).
Time Processing: Past vs. Present
- Left hemisphere – processes information sequentially, one bit at a time
- Right hemisphere – processes information globally, considering it as a whole
Brain Functions: Linguistic vs. Spatial
- Left hemisphere – includes verbal tasks, such as speaking, reading, thinking, and reasoning.
- Right hemisphere – includes nonverbal areas such as the understanding of spatial relationships, recognition of patterns and drawings, music, and emotional expression,
Neuroscience in Your Life
- Complete the Left/Right Brain Dominance Test to find out which brain hemisphere currently dominates your life.
- Personally, I obtained a score of 10 on this test – indicating that I am equally Left and Right Brained.
- Which didn’t surprise me as I often “lay the table” with outlines, organizers, etc. (Left Brain) and the moment I feel safe, grounded, and prepared, I sit back and watch the ideas fly! (Right Brain)
- What about you? How did you score on the Left/Right Brain Dominance Test? Was it what you expected? Were the results consistent with how you live your life? Did you learn something new about yourself?
- Personally, I obtained a score of 10 on this test – indicating that I am equally Left and Right Brained.
2. Watch the following 20 minute video to: a) learn firsthand about L-R brain specialization and b) discover how Neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor turned her real-life tragedy into an awe inspiring “Stroke of Insight“. I am still moved to tears by her story! I hope you are too. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is resilience personified.
“The more time we spend choosing to run the deep inner peace circuitry of our right hemisphere, the more peaceful our planet will be.” — TEDx Speaker Jill Bolte Taylor
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
Thriving Under Pressure TEDx Talk
YOUR TURN
What did you score on the Left/Right Brain Dominance Test ?
Thriving Under Pressure 
Very interesting, especially liked the chart comparing left and right characteristics. Trained as an engineer and later working as a technical manager in a strong technology company, it’s safe to say I was left-brain dominant. Upon retirement I made a conscious decision to cultivate my right-brain utilization. Hence the coaching, writing, spiritual focus of my recent years. I even titled a presentation about my journey as “One Step to the Right.” Your post brought all this back to me.
Jerry
Thanks for sharing! Your insights and reflections underscored my message perfectly. So interesting how your work has captured both hemispheres.
Stroke of Insight is one of my favorite books. Being a photographer I am regularly immersed in right brain activity. I listen for the whispers of Spirit, which can be drowned out by the loud voice of ego.
Beautiful description of your right brain in motion. I feel like I’m right there with you along for the ride!
I really enjoyed your detailed blog entry. Jill Bolte Taylor is a friend of mine. We spoke about our similar chance encounter with our brains not functioning correctly. Both of our experiences woke us up to a larger truth about ourselves. What I call, META awareness. I love how you refer to global awareness in the right brain. Would love to dialogue more with you about your work and share more about mine as we are both serving the world in similar ways. I believe we are on the edge of a major Renaissance of the human mind and heart ignited and evolving in an alive and awakening universe.
– Lisa Longworth, PhD
Right side…but sometimes I can be left.. rare occasion. This is incredibly thought provoking and fascinating!
One more reason to love neuropsychology & brain research. Always something new & exciting to learn about ourselves!
Thanks I love this. I can see that I am fully a right brain person. Not surprising but I am left handed as well. I fully embrace my left brain but we both know who is driving the bus.
Love this post, so very interesting to revisit the left vs right hemisphere processing differences (I did Psych at degree level). x
Thanks for the feedback & observations !
It’s exactly what I love about psychology – the chance to step back and view ourselves (and the world) from a completely different perspective.