Psychology Wiki

Analytic-synthetic theory

34,146pages on
this wiki



This article is about a theory to brain asymmetry. For the philosophical approach see: Analytic–synthetic distinction

The Analytic-synthetic theory is a theory of cerebral asymmetry which posits the idea that there are two modes of thinking, the synthetic and the analytic, which have become seperated through evolution into specialized activities located in the right brain and left brain respectively.

<quote> the left hemisphere operates in a more logical, analytical, computer like fashion, analysing stimulus information input sequentially and abstracting the relevant details, to which it attaches verbal labels: the right hemisphere is primarily a synthesizer, more concerned with the overall stimulus configuration, and organizes and processes information in term of gestalts or wholes. [1]

See alsoEdit


  1. Harris, L.J. (1978). Sex differences in spatial ability:Possible environmental, genetic and neurological factors, In M. Kinsbourne (ed) Asymmetrical function of the brain. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Around Wikia's network

Random Wiki