ethnoscience

The left hemisphere is responsible for. How to determine which hemisphere of your brain is dominant

The brain is the most important and complex part of the central nervous system. With its help, all processes associated with thinking and evaluating information received from the external environment are carried out. The brain has two hemispheres - left and right, each of which is responsible for certain processes - creativity and logic. The work of both hemispheres must be harmonious and coordinated so that a person can adequately carry out all types of life activities.

Description

Interhemispheric asymmetry of mental processes is understood as the functional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres: when performing some mental functions, the left hemisphere is dominant, while others are the right hemisphere.

Functional asymmetry is one of the most important psychophysiological patterns in the activity of the human brain. According to the researchers, asymmetry is associated with optimization of the decision-making process. The right and left hemispheres operate at different frequencies. Twice a day, at the moment of falling asleep and waking up, the frequency is synchronized. At this moment, a person has incomparably greater capabilities.

Nerve pathways from the sense organs go to each of the hemispheres of the brain. The right hemisphere mainly “serves” the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere primarily “serves” the right. Thus, left-handedness, a dominant left eye or left ear may indicate a predominant role of the right hemisphere in the perception and analysis of information.

It is currently believed that the left hemisphere in right-handed people plays a predominant role in expressive and impressive speech, reading, writing, verbal memory and verbal thinking. The right hemisphere acts as the leading hemisphere for non-speech, for example, musical hearing, visual-spatial orientation, non-verbal memory, and criticality.

The mechanisms of abstract imaginative thinking are concentrated in the left hemisphere, and the mechanisms of concrete figurative thinking are concentrated in the right hemisphere, therefore those people in whom emotional-imaginative thinking predominates are called “right-hemisphere”, and those in whom rational-logical thinking predominates are called “left-hemisphere”.

A curious detail noticed by scientists is the ability of asymmetry to change with age. It has been experimentally proven that the dominant hemisphere works more economically and ages more slowly. It should be remembered that the dominance of the right hemisphere will sooner or later manifest itself. For many people who grew up in a left-hemisphere rational world, creativity manifests itself only in the second half of life. Someone suddenly starts cross-stitching at the age of forty, someone paints pictures in secret from everyone.

Features of the hemispheres

The symmetrical sections of the hemispheres provide movement and specific sensitivity equally. However, such averaging does not apply to higher cortical functions, emotions, activation and adaptation processes.

Neurophysiologists classify interhemispheric asymmetry of the brain into:

anatomical (expressed in the morphological heterogeneity of the hemispheres);
biochemical (manifested by differences in cellular reactions, content of neurotransmitters);
psychophysiological (motor, sensory, cognitive-emotional).

Left

The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for verbal information; it is responsible for a person’s language abilities, controls speech, the ability to write and read. Thanks to the work of the left hemisphere, a person is able to remember various facts, events, dates, names, their sequence and how they will look in writing.

The left hemisphere is responsible for human analytical thinking; thanks to this hemisphere, logic and analysis of facts are developed, and manipulations with numbers and mathematical formulas are carried out.

The left hemisphere of the brain dominates in the following areas:

coordination of movements of the right side of the body;
control of speech, reading, writing, recognition and understanding of mathematical symbols, as well as remembering names and dates;
logical analysis of facts received from outside;
only a literal understanding of concepts;
stages in the processing of any information received;
all mathematical manipulations;
orientation in time and feeling of one's own body;
the concept of one’s own “I” and its isolation from the environment;
dominance in character;
logical, symbolic and sequential thinking.

In case of any damage to the left hemisphere of the brain, disturbances, disappearances or deformations of its function are noted. The following pathological conditions may occur:

impaired ability to generalize received data;
impairment of the ability to build logical chains;
various lesions of the speech apparatus (misunderstanding of speech, loss of the ability to speak, and others);
damage to the written analyzer (failure to understand what is written when perceiving oral speech or the inability to write with normal speech);
combined lesions of speech and writing;
violation of time orientation;
impaired ability to arrange in the correct sequence the tasks that need to be completed to achieve a goal;
inability to draw conclusions from available facts.

A child with a left-hemisphere dominant often learns to read on his own, because he has memorized the symbols mechanically, but the letters are unlikely to include images in his mind: this can lead to indifference to reading.

Interesting to know! It is also difficult for these children to play games on their own, inventing imaginary events and actions.

Right

The right hemisphere of the brain specializes in processing so-called nonverbal information, which is expressed not in words, but in symbols and images.

Important! It is responsible for imagination; with its help, a person is able to fantasize, dream, and compose. This is also where a person’s abilities for initiative and art are located.

The right hemisphere is responsible for parallel processing of information, that is, like a computer, it allows a person to simultaneously analyze several different streams of information, make decisions and solve problems, simultaneously considering the problem as a whole and from different angles.

Thanks to the right hemisphere of the brain, we make intuitive connections between images, understand a variety of metaphors, and perceive humor. The right hemisphere allows a person to recognize complex images that cannot be broken down into elementary components, for example, the process of recognizing people's faces and the emotions that these faces display.

Therefore, we can identify a certain “area of responsibility” of the right hemisphere:

reading information from images, symbols;
representation of images under the influence of music;
orientation in space;
collecting puzzles and mosaics;
perception of musical works;
understanding the figurative meaning of words and expressions;
the ability to dream, compose;
expression of sexuality;
a penchant for mysticism, religious consciousness;
control of the left side of the body.

It follows from this that although the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for logic, speech, event planning and the ability to perform exact sciences, their holistic perception will be impossible without the right half of the brain.

Relationship

The work of both hemispheres of the brain is equally important for a person. With the help of the left hemisphere, the world is simplified and analyzed, and thanks to the right hemisphere, it is perceived as it really is. The intuitive work of the right hemisphere of the brain is based on facts that have been analyzed by the left hemisphere.

Important! If there were no right, “creative” hemisphere of the brain, people would turn into emotionless, calculating machines that could only adapt the world to their life.

It should be noted that the right hemisphere controls the left half of the human body, and the left hemisphere controls the right half of the body. That is why it is believed that a person whose left half of the body is better developed (“left-handed”) has better developed creative abilities. By training the corresponding part of the body, we train the hemisphere of the brain that is responsible for these actions.

In the majority of people, one hemisphere is dominant: the right or the left. When a child is born, he evenly uses the capabilities that were initially inherent in him in different hemispheres.

Interesting to know! However, in the process of development, growth and learning, one of the hemispheres begins to develop more actively.

In addition, the peculiarities of the distribution of functions in the hemispheres and their interaction give a different clinical picture when pathological conditions occur. This is the basis for diagnosing a number of neurological diseases. At the same time, it is impossible to consider interhemispheric asymmetry as the work of isolated structures.

Important! Only the unity of both hemispheres and their coordinated work guarantee the full functioning of the body.

Short test

It is very easy to determine which of them is dominant at the moment; you need to conduct a simple test that will show the most active side of consciousness. You need to pay attention to the location:

thumb when intertwining the fingers of both hands together into a kind of fist;
palms during voluntary clapping;
forearms when crossing arms over chest;
legs thrown over one another while sitting.

If the activity of the right side of the body predominates, it means that the left hemisphere is more developed, since it is it that controls it. If it’s the other way around, it means that the person is prone to emotional and illogical behavior and has creative abilities, but he needs to pay more attention to the development of his mind and analytical skills.

Another way to determine the dominant hemisphere is presented in the video below.

Development methods

Music lessons will be very useful for anyone, especially piano, accordion, and accordion. The motor activity of the hands and fingers is directly related to the functioning of the brain. When both hands are used at the same time, two hemispheres develop harmoniously at once, getting used to cooperating.

In addition, they are extremely useful for the development of logic, intelligence and memory, as well as imaginative thinking:

chess and checkers;
poker, backgammon;
Monopoly and Scrabble games;
puzzles and puzzles;
embroidery and knitting.

Left hemisphere

Since it is known that the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, it can be activated in two ways: by loading it with the work it is oriented to, and by maximizing the use of the side of the body that it controls.

Logic problems
You will find a large number of them on the Internet, both individually and collected into games and applications. Play, solving both yourself and getting together with the whole family.
Physical exercise
To activate the left hemisphere, you need to use the right side of the body. For example, perform normal actions with your right hand (write, brush your teeth, stir tea). For right-handed people this will not be difficult, but for left-handed people it will be more difficult. Also, when performing regular gymnastics, pay more attention to the right side of the body. For example, you can jump on your right leg and bend to the right side.
Self-massage
There are many points on the human body that are responsible for different organs, including the brain. At the base of the big toes there is a point responsible for the cerebellum, and below it are the points of the cerebral hemispheres. By massaging the point under the big toe of your right foot, you activate the left hemisphere.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills of the hands are very useful for the development of the hemispheres. There is a special exercise for this. Place the tip of the little finger of your right hand against the tip of the thumb of your left hand, and the little finger of your left hand against the thumb of your right. Rotate your hands so that the position of your fingers changes places. Then the same should be done with the ring and index fingers.

Right hemisphere

Any creative activity is suitable for developing the right half of the brain - composing music, drawing, writing stories. There are also special exercises that will increase the potential of the right side and make it work at full strength.

Visualization
Close your eyes and imagine a blank white sheet of paper. Now try to see your name on it in your favorite color. Then make the name change color several times. The brighter the picture, the better. You can also use not a “fictional” sheet of paper, but use applications with exercises to train the right part of the brain. Try to name the colors in which the words are written as quickly as possible.
Movement exercises
Some have been known to us since childhood, for example, “ear-nose”. With your left hand, grab the tip of your nose, and with your right hand, grab your left ear. Then clap your hands and change hands - now the right one should hold the nose, and the left one should hold the right ear. Anyone who played this game as a child remembers that it worked out much better then. This is due to the fact that in childhood the right hemisphere is more developed (hence the love of drawing and all kinds of creativity in children).
Tactile senses
Another effective way to develop the right hemisphere is to use tactile sensations. You can imagine absolutely any images during the exercise. For example, try to feel that you are eating a certain dish, what it tastes like, what you associate with it. To develop creative skills, the same can be done with smell or in any way.
Finger work
Such gymnastics will help develop creative thinking. Try clenching both palms into fists at the same time. After this, straighten the thumb on your right hand and the index finger on your left. Then straighten the index finger on your right hand and the thumb on your left hand. Repeat this exercise several times, speeding up the pace. Alternate and throw other fingers.
Infinity sign
This exercise also helps to effectively develop the right hemisphere and improve creative skills. To do this, you need to press your left ear to your shoulder and extend your left arm forward. Then all attention should be concentrated on the index finger. Draw a figure eight with your hand, starting from the center - up and from the center - to the left. Perform the exercise with your left hand 8 times, and then do the same for your right hand.

Right-handed people should sometimes use their left hand for writing or daily tasks. It will be difficult at first, but over time the illegible scribbles will turn into elegant handwriting, and new and fresh ideas will appear in the right hemisphere.
and visualizations are useful not only for mental comfort and activation of the subconscious. It is also a training of imagination and intuition. Even if a person is far from esotericism, it would be useful to imagine the taste of a favorite dish in your mouth or remember the smells of a forest clearing, a perfume you like, activating your figurative memory. You can simply try to imagine any object with your eyes closed, clearly and in color.
Constant training also expands the functions of the PP. You can ask a friend or relative to make a wish for an inanimate object, for example, one of those in the room. Concentrate and try to guess with your inner vision what it could be. When you hear the phone ringing, try to imagine who is calling before answering.
Drawing pictures, even if you don’t have any special artistic abilities, is a great way to refresh your mind and increase creativity, which even a financial analyst will benefit from. This helps remove excess control. At first, it can be scary to make the first smear, since there is no clear plan of action, which is what people with strong LP are used to, but your imagination will definitely awaken.
Keeping a diary, writing poems, stories and fairy tales in the evenings for children is not just entertainment, but also very useful activities.

Much more important are exercises aimed at improving the connections between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Development methods include:

A very simple exercise involves simultaneously stroking your stomach with your right hand and tapping your head with your left hand. You should do it slowly at first, carefully monitoring the movements of each hand, and then gradually speed up.
The next exercise also requires arm work. Having placed them in front of him, a person should draw a square in the air with one, and, for example, a star with the other. At the same time, as soon as he notices progress, that is, it becomes easier to perform the exercise, he should change hands.
A more complex coordination exercise involves holding the tip of your nose with one hand while holding the opposite ear with the other. The training method is to change hands as quickly as possible.
Depending on whether a person is right-handed or left-handed, you should try to do familiar things with your opposite hand, such as brushing your teeth or eating.
Dancing classes, in particular tango, help develop both hemispheres at the same time.

There are also a number of exercises that will help harmoniously develop both hemispheres of the brain.

"Ring". Consistently and very quickly connect the fingers of both hands into a ring with the thumb for several minutes.
“X-Men” - on paper of any size, draw in bright color two intersecting straight lines in the form of the letter “X” and hang the sheet on the wall. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, back straight. The gaze is directed to the point of intersection of the lines. At the same time, connect the elbow of your right hand with the raised knee of your left leg. Perform vigorously for several minutes. This type of training very effectively relieves fatigue after routine work and invigorates.
“Multi-colored confusion” - you will need a piece of paper on which the names of the colors are written with multi-colored felt-tip pens. The difficulty is that the name and colors do not match each other. For example, the word “yellow” is written in red, “green” - in blue. The more words, the better. You need to quickly read aloud not the word, but the name of the color with which it is written.

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Back in 1981, scientists from the USSR came up with a test that allows you to determine with incredible accuracy the dominant hemisphere of the human brain. Different hemispheres are responsible for different actions, thinking and approaches to problem solving.

Knowing which hemisphere is better developed, you can choose the most suitable profession or explain your seemingly strange behavior in any situation. And parents can determine the child’s skills and talents and, depending on this, decide whether to send him to the chess section, for example, or to drawing.

website invites you to take this test, and at the end tells you some interesting facts about you.

Prepare before you start

Take 2 sheets of paper: on one you will record the results, and you will need the second to complete some points. After completing each task, mark the result by writing it down on paper. The entire test will take you no more than 7 minutes.

1. Interlace your fingers

Place your hands together and interlace your fingers. Which hand's thumb is on top?

If with your left hand, then put the letter “P” on the sheet, if with your right hand, then put the letter “L”.

There is no mistake here. Each hemisphere of the brain controls the opposite side of the body, so if the right hand is dominant, then it is the left hemisphere, and vice versa.

2. Rosenbach test

Take a pencil in your hand and stretch it out in front of your eyes, as in the picture. Now look at the tip of the pencil and take aim. Close first one eye, then the other. When you close which eye, the image shifts more?

If, when closing the right eye, the image shifts more, then put the letter “L” on the sheet, if the left eye - “P”. If the image moves equally, then set it to “zero”.

3. Napoleon Pose

Stand up and cross your arms over your chest, like in the picture. Which hand is on top? If the hand is left hand - put “P”, if the hand is right - “L”.

4. Applause

Clap your hands and pay attention to which hand is on top.

If the palm is left, put the letter “P”, if the palm is right, put the letter “L”.

5. Cross your legs

Squat down with your legs crossed. Which leg was on top? If it’s right, put the letter “L”; if it’s left, put the letter “P”.

6. Wink

Which eye did you wink with? If the right one is “L”, the left one is “P”.

7. Rotation

Stand on your feet and rotate a little around your axis. Which direction did you rotate? Counterclockwise - “L”, clockwise - “P”.

8. Strokes

Take the second piece of paper. Now with each hand, not to mention, draw several vertical strokes in a row. Then count the strokes. Which hand did you draw the most strokes with?

If you drew more with your left hand, write the letter “P”; if with your right hand, write the letter “L”. If there are the same number of lines, then write “zero”.

9. Circle

Using either hand, draw a circle and end it with an arrow. If the line goes counterclockwise - put “L”, clockwise - “P”.

It's time to enter your data into the formula. Don't be scared, it's easy

Count the number of letters "L" and enter this number in the upper left part of the formula. Count the letters "P" and enter the number on the right side of the formula.

Then calculate the result:

More than 30% - complete dominance of the left hemisphere.
From 10% to 30% - incomplete dominance of the left hemisphere.
From −10% to +10% - incomplete dominance of the right hemisphere.
More than −10% - complete dominance of the right hemisphere.

Some facts about you

The left hemisphere is the center of speech, which is why “left-hemisphere” people love to talk. But the left hemisphere can only understand the literal meaning of words.
But the right hemisphere is responsible for intonation. “Right-brained” people speak little, but pay special attention to intonation.
The right hemisphere is sensitive to humor and understands metaphors.
The left hemisphere does not perceive music - the right is responsible for it.
Recognizing ordinary human faces is a function of the right hemisphere. Therefore, “left-brained” people may not recognize you on the street.
“Left-brain” people like to go into details and are scrupulous.
The right hemisphere gives us the ability to dream and fantasize. With the help of the right hemisphere we can create different stories.
“Right-hemisphere” people first “grasp” the image as a whole, and then highlight the details.
“Left-hemisphere” people first highlight details, and from the details they form an idea of the subject as a whole.
The right hemisphere remembers emotions, feelings, and personal experiences well.
The left hemisphere remembers logical connections, graphs and systems.

It is now known that the left and right hemispheres of the brain perform different functions. The cognitive processes they carry out differ. Scientific research in this area has been carried out repeatedly, and now the thesis about the differences in the functioning of the brain hemispheres is beyond doubt. In particular, this is confirmed by the studies of such specialists in the field of neuropsychology as R. Sperry, D. Hubel and T. Wiesel.

It has been proven that the intensity of use of both hemispheres is the same. So the idea that each person has one hemisphere predominant is a common myth. But the very principle of information processing in them is different. And this is another proof of the amazing multitasking of the human body. If the human brain cannot solve a problem using the usual method, then it is capable of using many others. For example, he will make up for the lack of verbal information with non-verbal information, and will consider a complex problem as a set of various processes.

Specifics of the right hemisphere

The essence of the differences in the work of the two hemispheres of the brain can be briefly expressed in the following phrase: “The left hemisphere does not see the forest for the trees, and the right hemisphere sees the forest, but does not distinguish individual trees.” Accordingly, the right side of the brain in its work is capable of recognizing any phenomenon as a whole, without concentrating on details. It is viewed as a kind of overall picture. This effect is achieved through the simultaneous and very fast analysis of many elements. Thus, we come to one of the features of the work of the right hemisphere of the brain - parallel consideration of several tasks.

Multitasking and seeing the big picture

The left hemisphere of the brain analyzes information in a linear fashion - first identifying a problem, then analyzing the problem, and then moving on to the next one. But the right side of this organ functions differently. At this stage of the development of science, it can be argued that it analyzes several tasks simultaneously and identifies connections between them. Roughly speaking, the brain is able to detect several problems (questions, tasks, objects of analysis) at once, consider them simultaneously, at some stage pay attention to one or several of them, and then, if necessary, return to the rest.

This specificity of the work of the right hemisphere determines the systemic vision of the problem. Precisely as a combination of many interrelated elements, without separation from other problems and factors influencing it. That is, the left hemisphere “sees” first the individual elements of the system, and then, analyzing them, the whole picture. And the right one is capable of capturing more subtle, “non-obvious” connections. From this comes the next feature - the ability to process non-verbal information.

Recognition and analysis of nonverbal information

This is also a function of the right hemisphere. This term refers to all that information that is transmitted not in verbal form, but in the form of symbols, signs, gestures, sounds, colors, etc. For example, a person’s pallor and unhealthy appearance are nonverbal information that can be obtained using the visual organs by analyzing a person’s appearance. But words about feeling unwell are already verbal.

There are such types of non-verbal information as:

Emotional.
Aesthetic.
Individual and personal.
Biophysical.
Spatial.
Psychological.

The right hemisphere of the brain is capable of analyzing numerous subtle cues that form the basis of nonverbal information. And then these signs are put together into a single picture, or conclusions are drawn based on them.

Orientation in space

Spatial orientation is understood as the process of determining one’s position relative to foreign objects and the distance to them in accordance with any reference system. It is on this ability that, for example, orientation on the terrain, drawing up a route, or successfully putting together a puzzle depends.

Emotion Recognition

Recognition of emotions and the so-called emotional intellect, is also controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain. The ability to understand the desires, motives and intentions of other people is based on the ability to capture and analyze a variety of non-verbal messages.

Understanding Metaphors

This human ability is also due to the specifics of the right hemisphere. To understand metaphors, it is necessary to perceive words figuratively, understand hidden and explicit meanings, and the ambiguity of the same word or expression in different situations. After all, even the simple word “go” can mean a completely different process in the phrases: “a person is walking” and “it is raining.” This also includes recognizing the meaning of proverbs and sayings, and any ambiguous expressions.

Fantasies and imagination

Creating mental images is the job of the right hemisphere. This determines the ability for creativity, invention and fantasy, mystical thinking, mysticism and religiosity.

In general, the study of the activity of the brain in general, and its hemispheres in particular, is an area where most discoveries have yet to be made. What is known now is only a small part of the array of information.

Cerebral hemispheres

The brain controls all activities of the central nervous system. Until now, it has been poorly studied and is fraught with many mysteries for scientists. Many of us know from our school biology course that our brain has two hemispheres, each of which performs its own functions. Next, we will look at what exactly they are responsible for, and will dwell in more detail on the right hemisphere of the brain.

Let's start by looking at what the left hemisphere is responsible for. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for things related to logic. His activities are related to verbal communication, memory, handling numbers, facts, and abstract thinking. When processing experience, it analyzes, classifies, systematizes what happened and, on the basis of this, makes a general conclusion. The left side of the brain is a good helper where analytical thinking is required, you need to establish the cause of an event and its consequence. It allows you to engage in activities in stages, gradually moving from one point of the plan to another. Thanks to it, we perceive the meaning of what is said literally. People with a developed left hemisphere have a good ability for languages and usually know several foreign languages. The left hemisphere controls the right half of the body.

Functions of the right hemisphere

Below we will look at what the right hemisphere of our brain is responsible for.

processing of nonverbal information. The right hemisphere of the brain processes signals that come to us in the form of symbols, images, gestures, signs, sounds, colors and other means. The definitions of objects in this case are fused with their essence, and do not simply designate them;
aptitude for art. Musical and artistic abilities are also associated with the work of the right half. This also includes abilities in other areas of creative activity (dancing, modeling, etc.). Thanks to the right hemisphere, we can perceive and enjoy music, paintings, dance numbers and other works of art. Moreover, those people for whom it is well developed can not only react emotionally to the masterpieces of other people, but also create their own;
orientation in space. The right hemisphere of the brain helps us determine our location relative to other objects, as well as the distance to these objects. All this helps us not to get lost in an unfamiliar city, to get to our destination;
perception of metaphors. Due to the work of the right side of the brain, we are able to understand the allegorical meaning of words, which helps us in interacting with people around us. Thanks to her, we grasp the meaning of set expressions, proverbs and sayings. This also includes a sense of humor, the ability to laugh at a joke;
imagination. The right side of the brain allows us to make up our own stories. We can create the most incredible plot twists and mental images that are far from our real experience. One example of such image generation is dreams. Another example: dreams and fantasies;
emotions. Emotions are closely related to the right hemisphere. Thanks to its work, we can emotionally perceive current events and recognize emotional signals from other people. We can understand the hidden reasons for other people's actions, which helps in establishing contacts and protects us from possible dangers, because makes you feel deceived;
simultaneous processing of multiple blocks of information. The right hemisphere works with a lot of information simultaneously. It perceives information as a whole. This comprehensive perception allows you to effectively solve problems. This can be compared to seeing the plan of the city as a whole, and not to moving from house to house. With this type of processing, solving a problem can look like an intuitive insight;
face recognition. The work of the right side of the brain allows us to recognize faces, recognize our acquaintances;
The left half of the body is subordinate to the right hemisphere.

Useful to know: Convolutions and grooves located in the brain: structure, functions and description

The principle of how the hemispheres of the brain work is especially noticeable when observing a person who has had one of them removed. People who have had the right half of their brain removed have difficulty navigating even a small area and need help to get to their destination. Such a person takes everything said literally, because... cannot perceive the allegorical meaning of words. He does not react to other people's emotions and appears unemotional himself. He cannot enjoy music. However, the regenerative abilities of our body are such that subsequently the remaining half takes on part of the functions of the removed one. This is especially true in cases where the operation was performed in childhood.

Which half is dominant?

Which of the two hemispheres is dominant? Previously, scientists believed that the left. However, it is now known that the left and right hemispheres of our brain work together, and the dominance of one of them is associated with the nature of a particular person. You're probably wondering which hemisphere is dominant for you. To determine this, you can take special tests. You can also analyze what types of activities you are better at and what you are capable of. In order for the hemispheres of the brain to work harmoniously, it is useful to perform special exercises that increase the potential of the weaker one.

During childhood, the right side of the brain is more active. We perceive the world through images. However, our entire education system and our lifestyle develop the functions of the left. Thus, the right hemisphere is often inactive, its functions do not receive proper development and it gradually loses its potential. This imbalance has a negative impact on our lives in the future.

The ability to achieve great success thanks to the harmonious work of the hemispheres is shown to us by examples of brilliant people. For example, Leonardo da Vinci was excellent with both hands. It is known that he was not only an excellent artist and sculptor, but also a scientist. The work of the hemispheres of his brain was harmonious. Their development was uniform, thanks to which he was able to create discoveries and inventions that change the life of not only a particular person, but also society as a whole.

What will the development of the right hemisphere give us?

Drawing a general conclusion, we note that the activity of the left side of the brain is associated with processing previous experience and generating decisions based on it. However, we all know that it is impossible to create something new, guided only by previous experience. The right half of the brain goes beyond experience, creates something that did not exist. It gives us a holistic perception of information, rather than getting bogged down in details. Taking a holistic view of a problem allows us to create a solution that would not be possible if we focused only on part of it.

The brain is the main organ of the central nervous system, which consists of a huge number of nerve cells and their processes, interconnected. This organ almost completely occupies the cavity of the cerebral part of the skull. It provides protection to the brain from external damage. As a person develops and matures, the brain gradually takes the shape of the skull.

Due to the activity of the brain, a person sees, hears, walks, works, experiences emotions, is able to communicate with other people, analyze, and think.

Structure

In adult men and women, the total mass of the organ is about 1.3-1.5 kg. The male and female brains differ little in weight (in women it is slightly lighter), while in newborns the weight of the organ is no more than 350-400 g, and in a 12-year-old child - ~800-1000 g. The brain is located in the cranium and is closed by three shells. It has a specific structure. The most significant parts of the organ are: the medulla oblongata and the posterior (which includes the pons and the cerebellum, located behind the pons), the forebrain, the diencephalon, and the midbrain.

The right and left hemispheres of the brain are responsible for regulating higher nervous activity, because they contain departments that are responsible for writing, speech, hearing, and vision. Thanks to the cerebellum, balance is ensured, and the trunk contains developed centers that control the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

In men, the brain completely stops growing in size around the age of 25, while in women this process is completed by the age of 15.

Between the two halves of the organ there is a longitudinal fissure, the basis of which is the corpus callosum, connecting the hemispheres, ensuring coordination of their work with each other. Since school times, we have known from anatomy that the halves are responsible for the work of opposite sides of the body. For example, the right half is responsible for the functioning of the left side of the body.

Functions of the left hemisphere

The hemispheres of the brain are interconnected with the rest of the central nervous system, therefore they function together with subcortical structures.

If one of the hemispheres is damaged, then the other may take over part of its functions. This indicates the associated support for the functioning of movements, higher nervous activity, sensitivity, and sensory organs.

The cortex has several zones that are responsible for performing specific functions. These zones only work together. For example, if a person wants to say something, then he thinks, analyzes, calculates, and then only speaks. In the process of communication, people express emotions: they are sad, happy, worried, laughing, etc., they gesture, using their facial muscles and hands. Such work is ensured by the general functioning of:

several zones of the cortex;
subcortical nuclei;
spinal and cranial nerves.

At the moment, less than 50% of the human brain has been studied by world science, but the process continues continuously.

Frontal lobe of the left hemisphere

If we talk about what the left hemisphere is responsible for, then first we should talk about the frontal lobe, which ensures a person’s ability to speak and think. This is one of the most important parts of the brain. Thanks to it, emotions appear and manifest, behavior and thought processes are controlled.

Speech motor area

Allows you to ensure the normal functioning of the facial muscles, which is necessary for pronouncing complex phrases and words. To put it differently, thanks to the speech motor area, speech is formed in a person as a whole. If he is right-handed, then in the left hemisphere the speech motor zone takes up much more space than in the right, and if he is left-handed, everything is exactly the opposite.

If the zone is destroyed or severely damaged, the ability to speak is automatically lost. In this case, a person will be able to sing and scream without words. Also, if damaged, the ability to read to oneself and formulate one’s thoughts is lost. Such damage does not affect the function of understanding the speech of other people.

There is a common myth that a person uses only 5-10% of his brain capacity. This is not true, because cells that are not used simply die.

Motor area

The left and right hemispheres contain the motor cortex, which is necessary to ensure the activity of the striated muscles. In the left hemisphere, the activity of the right side of the body, coordination of precise movements, and orientation on the ground are controlled. The internal organs send their impulses to this zone.

If the motor cortex is damaged, the following problems will occur:

disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and respiratory organs;
paresis of limbs;
ataxia.

Parietal lobe

This is where the sensitivity zone of muscles, joints, and skin is located. The left hemisphere receives impulses from receptors on the right side of the body.

If this area is damaged, then, in most cases, a person will experience sensory disturbances in some areas of the body, and he will lose the ability to determine things by touch. There is also a loss of touch, sensitivity to ambient temperature, and no pain is felt in the right side of the body.

Temporal lobe

Its main functions are vestibular sensitivity and hearing. If the zone is damaged, the right ear will stop hearing, and the left ear will lose the ability to hear normally. The person will move less accurately and will begin to stagger when walking. Not far from the temporal lobe is the auditory speech center, through which we can understand spoken speech and hear our own.

Occipital lobe

At the base of the brain, visual and auditory fibers intersect. Therefore, the visual zone of the left hemisphere receives impulses from the retina of the right and left eyes. Moreover, if the area is damaged, the person will not experience complete blindness - disturbances are observed only in the left eye.

The back of the head is also necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the visual speech center - with its help we recognize written words and letters and read.

Hemisphere specializations

The left and right hemispheres of the brain are responsible for certain functions.

The main specialization of the left hemisphere is logical thinking, so it used to be widely believed that the left side is dominant. But the dominance of the left hemisphere is observed only when performing certain functions:

Language abilities, ensuring speech control, the ability to read and write, memory (memorizing facts, names, dates, etc., writing them), learning foreign languages.
Understanding words (the left hemisphere can only understand the meaning of what is said literally).
Analytical thinking (recognition of numbers and mathematical symbols, logic, analysis of facts).
Sequential information processing (the left hemisphere processes the received information in stages). The left side considers all the available details - it does not see the big picture, unlike the right side, and therefore is not able to put together the information received.
Mathematical abilities (the left side recognizes symbols, numbers, a logical and analytical approach is used to solve mathematical problems, which are also provided by this hemisphere).
Control of the right side of the body (if you raise your right leg, this will indicate that the corresponding command came from the left hemisphere).

The hemispheres of the human brain interact with each other, so during mental activity the central nervous system uses them together. The functioning of the two hemispheres is synchronized. The central nervous system activates them and connects the results obtained. But it is still customary to clearly separate their mental functions.

It is a common belief that the larger the brain, the smarter and more brilliant a person is, but this is a misconception. Albert Einstein had a relatively small brain, weighing about 1.2 kg. The size of the organ does not in any way affect the quality of mental activity.

There is a precise division of certain functions. The right hemisphere is primarily responsible for intuition, so it cannot dominate. Its main functions also include:

Processing of non-verbal information (symbols, images).
Spatial orientation. The hemisphere allows a person to navigate in space and correctly perceive his location. Due to the work of this side of the brain, a person is able to competently find the way to the right place, taking into account various factors, and create mosaic puzzle images.
Metaphors. Thanks to the work of the hemisphere, people can correctly perceive metaphors, solve riddles, and recognize the results of another person’s imagination. If the left hemisphere allows us to literally understand and analyze the meaning of what has been written, then the right hemisphere takes a creative approach. For example, if we hear the following metaphor: “Simple as a felt boot,” then due to the work of the hemisphere we will understand what they wanted to convey to us.

Mystic. Religion, mystical phenomena, superstitions and much more from these areas - the right hemisphere of our brain is responsible for all this.
Musicality. Creativity is also considered to be the activity of the right hemisphere. Talents in the field of music, the ability to perceive musical works, and much more related to music and other creativity are provided by the work of this side of the brain. It is interesting to note that not the right, but the left hemisphere will be responsible for receiving musical education.
Imagination. Thanks to the right side of the brain, we can dream, imagine, fantasize. The hemisphere completely controls these processes, allows us to come up with all sorts of stories, develops thoughts related to coming up with new solutions and paths, makes predictions, connects memories into a single whole, etc. For example, it is the right side that asks questions like “What if?” and many others related to the creative thought process.
Emotions. If we talk about what our right hemisphere is responsible for, then the list can also include emotions that, in fact, are not a product of the activity of this hemisphere. At the same time, they are connected with the right side much more than with the left, which scientists have long been able to prove.