Our brains are incredibly adaptable. Some individuals use their minds for artistic creation, while others use them to solve mathematical problems, and some do both. In addition, the brain also carries out numerous other functions.
The brain consists of two hemispheres, the left and right, which are symmetrical in appearance. Major brain structures that control cognition, movement, emotions, and vision are found in both hemispheres.
Despite their symmetry, each hemisphere can operate independently. For instance, the left side of the brain controls vision and movement on the right side of the body, and vice versa. Certain functions, such as speech, may be more dominant in one hemisphere over the other, suggesting specialization.
Highly creative individuals are sometimes labeled as “right-brained,” while logical people are described as “left-brained.” This notion has gained significant popularity, although it does not hold true.
To trace the roots of this idea, we need to go back 70 years.
Where did this idea originate?
The theory of left and right hemispheres originates from research that commenced in the 1950s.
Roger Sperry, a neuroscientist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, delved into the interaction between the two brain hemispheres. He focused on the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers connecting both halves, and discovered that severing this connection could help treat severe epilepsy.
Further research with split-brain patients revealed lateralization of language functions to the left hemisphere, as validated by brain structure studies such as Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas.
Brain imaging unveils interconnections
Recent advancements in brain imaging, such as functional MRI, have enabled researchers to map brain activity in living individuals. Studies have shown that while some functions may be lateralized, most brain networks encompass both hemispheres. This refutes the notion of exclusive right-brain or left-brain dominance for specific skills like creativity or logic.
Neuroscientists now emphasize the interconnectedness of brain regions and refute the outdated concept of one-sided brain dominance. The brain is a complex network where various regions collaborate to execute tasks, dispelling the myth of “left-brained” or “right-brained” individuals.
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Source: www.snexplores.org
