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Understanding the Myth and Reality of Left Brain and Right Brain Dominance


By Kendra Cherry,



What Is Left Brain - Right Brain Theory?


In psychology, the theory is based on what is known as the lateralization of brain function. So does one side of the brain really control specific functions? Are people either left-brained or right-brained? Like many popular psychology myths, this one has a basis in fact that has been dramatically distorted and exaggerated.

The right brain-left brain theory grew out of the work of Roger W. Sperry, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1981. While studying the effects of epilepsy, Sperry discovered that cutting the corpus collosum (the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain) could reduce or eliminate seizures.



The Right Brain


·         Recognizing faces

·         Expressing emotions

·         Music

·         Reading emotions

·         Color

·         Images

·         Intuition

·         Creativity

The Left Brain


·         Language

·         Logic

·         Critical thinking

·         Numbers

·         Reasoning

The Uses of Right-Brain, Left-Brain Theory

While often over-generalized and overstated by popular psychology and self-help texts, understanding your strengths and weaknesses in certain areas can help you develop better ways to learn and study. For example, students who have a difficult time following verbal instructions (often cited as a right-brain characteristic) can benefit from writing down directions and developing better organizational skills.